This kind of agreement had always existed and likewise had always been regarded as a social risk and thus intensely disliked by the legislators. From1723they were visible in the Statutes on Servants and Hired Labourers, for example in rules regulating salaries and the working hours.72 Another category of special regulation concerned the skilled craftsmen. Some “privileged” economic areas, such as mining, factories and trade, were given their own special legislation, which supplemented or replaced the general rules of the statutes concerning master and servant.This particular legislation often meant that the workers were entrusted with greater independence and integrity than ordinary servants. The exercise of trade and crafts was limited to the cities and regulated by guild rules which were based upon strict control over the number in the trade or profession, including norms regulating entry as well as the skill and ability of each newcomer, tools and method of work.A significant feature of this regulation was the care for professional training and self-esteem.Thus, the economic area-related legislation was based on a strict classification of three main categories: masters, (Sw. mästare), apprentices (lärlingar) and journeymen (gesäller). For being a journeyman, the system normally required a lengthy period of education and the passing of an examination, including the presentation of proof of professional skill. As with the rules for servants and hired labourers, apprenticeship was considered to be a contract of free will.At the same time the relationship was strictly regulated by the state.Apprentices and journeymen were no doubt subordinates, bound to far-reaching duties of obedience and loyalty, while the master’s obligations included broad and diffuse duties of protection and upbringing.73 The official sanctions for breaching the contract were normally p a r t 1 i , c h a p t e r 2 46 72 Kongl. Maj:ts Stadga och Förorordning, Angående Tienstefolck och Legohion … den6 augusti 1723 (The Statute 1723 on Hired Servants), section11;Winroth1878, p. 119. 73 Adlercreutz, A1954, pp. 104-108; Göransson 1988, p. 39; Svensäter 1991, pp. 30-33.
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