The Rise of Guilds

With the founding of the Order of the Centurion at the end of the 8th Century A.D., those countries inside the defensive ring formed by the Order began to enjoy greater security and stability. This meant that West Francia, East Francia (Germania), Burgundy, the Lombard Kingdoms, and the Papal States could focus more on internal security issues such as dealing with bandits and highwaymen. The results were safer roads and more trade. As trade increased, this led to the rise of the Merchant Guilds in the early 9th Century (something that didn't happen until the 11th Century in our world). As trade increased and resources became more plentiful throughout Europe more people became craftsmen and tradesmen in order to improve their financial opportunities. This created a growing middle class and the need for some sort of regulation of the craftsmen and tradesmen (too many craftsmen in an area meant that there was not enough work and too much competition on pricing; craftsmen who were poorly trained and performing poor quality work gave the entire profession a bad name, etc.) Craftsmen began to self regulate by forming craft guilds in the late 9th century (something that didn't happen until the 12th century in our world.