<P> The extent to which guilds were able to monopolize markets is also debated . </P> <P> For the most part, medieval guilds limited women's participation, and usually only the widows and daughters of known masters were allowed in . Even if a woman entered a guild, she was excluded from guild offices . It's important to note that while this was the overarching practice, there were guilds and professions that did allow women's participation, and that the Medieval era was an ever - changing, mutable society--especially considering that it spanned hundreds of years and many different cultures . There were multiple accounts of women's participation in guilds in England and the Continent . In a study of London silkwomen of the 15th century by Marian K. Dale, she notes that medieval women could inherit property, belong to guilds, manage estates, and run the family business if widowed . The Livre des métiers de Paris (Book of Trades of Paris) was compiled by Étienne Boileau, the Grand Provost of Paris under King Louis IX . It documents that 5 out of 110 Parisian guilds were female monopolies, and that only a few guilds systematically excluded women . Boileau notes that some professions were also open to women: surgeons, glass - blowers, chain - mail forgers . Entertainment guilds also had a significant number of women members . John, Duke of Berry documents payments to female musicians from Le Puy, Lyons, and Paris . </P> <P> Women did have problems with entering healers' guilds, as opposed to their relative freedom in trade or craft guilds . Their status in healers' guilds were often challenged . The idea that medicine should only be practice by men was supported by the Catholic Church, royal heads, and secular authorities at the time . It is believed that the Inquisition and witch hunts throughout the ages contributed to the lack of women in medical guilds . </P> <P> Scholars from the history of ideas have noticed that consultants play a part similar to that of the journeymen of the guild systems: they often travel a lot, work at many companies and spread new practices and knowledge between companies and corporations . </P>

What is the difference between a merchant guild and a craft guild