What was one of the functions of guilds in medieval towns?

Guilds in medieval towns primarily served to regulate trade and protect the interests of craftsmen and merchants. They were associations that grouped together individuals in similar trades or professions. By doing so, guilds established standards for the quality of goods produced, set fair prices, and controlled competition among members. This helped ensure that craftsmen could earn a sustainable livelihood while maintaining the quality and integrity of their trade. Additionally, guilds often provided support to their members through mutual aid and assistance in times of need, such as illness or financial hardship.

While guilds may have had some indirect influence on aspects like law enforcement or military organization, their core function centered around the economic regulation of trades and the protection of their members' rights and interests in the marketplace. Providing food distribution or directly overseeing the legal system was not a primary responsibility of guilds, making their role in trade regulation and craftsmen protection the most relevant and significant aspect of their function in medieval society.