The Guild of Kalendars

In the Middle Ages guilds were an important feature of English town life. They all had more or less of a religious character; each had its own patron saint and provided for the performance of certain services. In all ancient guilds a common feast and much drinking together were important features, while, at the same time, there were strict rules to ensure to ensure the observance of good manners. These guilds acted somewhat like benefit clubs and mutual benefit societies; they were the means of teaching the people of our towns the lessons of thrift and self-government, and the secret of living pleasantly. Guilds existed for various special objects. In some the religious element was uppermost; others while retaining their religious character, were closely associated with different crafts, and others again fulfilled various functions along with religious and social duties. The guild of Kalendars was a religious guild.  There were also guilds of Kalendars in Exeter and Winchester, and possibly other English towns.  They were popular in northern Germany and Denmark.  The guild was composed of clergy and laity (possibly including women).  It met on or near the kalends (the first day of the month).  The guild was in existence by 1147, and may have existed since Saxon times.  In early times it met in Trinity church, later moving to All Saints.  The move may have occurred during the reign of Henry II (1154-89). When Henry III was in Bristol in 1216, he and the legate Gualo may have granted the guild a charter of confirmation "in consideration of the ancient and kindly duties it fulfilled". The guild acquired wealth, and by the 1370's this provided for four permanent chantry priests.  The prior of the guild being the holder of the first chantry.  The priests arranged for any vacancies to be filled and elected the prior.  At times the mayor attempted to exercise power over these activities, but this was successfully resisted by the priests.  The priests lived in a house next to All Saints church, permission being given in 1333 for the erection of the house.  The house was rebuilt, on a reduced size, in 1443. Ideas that the guild maintained schools, or assisted in the government of the city, are unfounded.  The Bishop of Worcester, John Carpenter, reformed the guild in 1464, and from that date it became purely religious in character.  Carpenter's reforms did have one important function, that of maintaining a free access library.  The library being situated in an attic, above the north aisle, of All Saints. The prior (or priest of the first chantry) had to be a well educated evangelist, with a Master of Arts degree.  He maintained the library, gave a weekly public lecture, and explained the scriptures to any who asked.  Three of the later priors did not maintain the required standard; William Cross was hardly ever in attendance; Francis Pollard and John Pinnock did not have the required qualifications. In 1546 the prior, Thomas Silk, received a salary of 10 pounds per year; Richard Wale, the priest of the second chantry, received 8 pounds; William Deane, the second priest, received 7/4/0; and the third priest, Nicholas Harris, received 6/6/8. The guild was too catholic in character to survive the reformation and was dissolved in 1548, the remaining priests being provided with a  pension. Source - The Guild of Kalendars, Bristol.  Nicholas Orme.  Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, 1978.