"give their ‘mystery’ some of the civic and sacred trappings of a guild"
"In practice the Pinners’ pretentions to full guild status were constantly undermined, both from without and within. The Pinners of London vanish from the record in 1511. For a century or two, however, they nonetheless managed to give their ‘mystery’ some of the civic and sacred trappings of a guild: candles were burned and Masses said for the Pinners’ patron saint; dinners were held and special uniforms purchased for the craft’s officers to wear in city processions, whether on land or on hired barges on the Thames." (Jonathan Conlin, Critical Lives-Adam Smith)
What does the emphasized phrase mean?
Top answer
This "mystery" is an archaic word, different from the everyday one we all know. It meant nothing more than "guild" or "profession" here. Trappings are accoutrements.
- This "mystery" is an archaic word, different from the everyday one we all know.
- It meant nothing more than "guild" or "profession" here.
- Trappings are accoutrements.
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This "mystery" is an archaic word, different from the everyday one we all know. It meant nothing more than "guild" or "profession" here. Trappings are accoutrements.
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