1. Terminology
In German-speaking Europe, in the Middle Ages a person continuing on after completing his apprenticeship in the crafts and trades was called a Knecht; the term Geselle (from Saalgenosse) was applied initially to members of gesellig (“companionably”) communicative social groups, including the master craftsmen (Sociability). After the formation of the first associations of Gesellen, the term was transferred to those active in the crafts…