The Chevalier's discussion of the guilds is fascinating. He discusses the path to being a Master of the Guild, through apprenticeship and journeyman. He discusses the insurance aspect of guild membership, but most importantly, he discusses the strongly religious aspect of the guilds. Their devotion to their patron Saint, the production of mystery plays for Feasts, etc.
Mentioning the Livery Companies of the City of London, he discusses the role of the guilds in the governance of the cities of the middle ages.
He also discusses Arthur Penty's 'Guild Socialism'. Penty was a good friend of the ChesterBelloc and other early Distributists, and his theories were similar to those of the Distributists.
This leads to a discussion of the Confraternities and their role, similar to the guilds, in daily life.
The discussion of King Alfred is good. It was from this that I learned that Alfred has a popular cultus and is considered a 'Blessed' in some quarters.
The 'Wild Hunt' is explained in some detail, discussing it in regions of England, Belgium, and other places. He discusses the origins and what the Hunt was seeking, especially unbaptised children. He calls for baptising children ASAP after birth, and then do the 'regularisation' later, whether the Wild Hunt is real or not.
However, the idea that it is a Christian folkloric tale in origin is quite false. The tales of the Wild Hunt have their roots in northern European paganism, long before the Christianisation of the North.
The discussion of usury is interesting. I do disagree with one point that the Chevalier makes. The problem with building one's own house is not difficulty caused by specialisation, but by the overweening bureaucracy under which live. Most people could easily find friends or acquaintances with the skills to build a house. The problem is that they are not 'licensed' electricians, plumbers', etc.
I will leave the discussion of Montague Summers, because I know nothing of him, so I learned along with my readers from this discussion.
His answer to the last question begins quite amusingly, with an attack on modern, pant suited nuns. He then seriously discusses the qualities that make a good Priest.
Medieval Guilds 0:48 King Alfred the Great 10:00 Catholic Folklore - The Wild Hunt 11:20 The Ethics of Usury 19:16 The Shadowy Figure of Montague Summers 27:26 What qualities does Charles look for in a good priest? 41:53
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