What was a “journeyman” in a medieval craft guild?

The story behind the answer

In guilds, this was a craftsperson who had finished an apprenticeship and could produce competent work for wages, but lacked the rights of a master—no independent workshop, no apprentices, and no vote in guild leadership. They often moved between shops, selling their skills where needed and building experience and a reputation.

The term comes from the French journée, meaning “day,” reflecting payment by the day. Many followed a tradition of travel (the German Wanderschaft), learning regional techniques and tools. To advance, they typically had to submit a “masterpiece” judged by the guild and pay fees to gain admission as a master. This structure helped maintain quality, spread innovations across regions, and controlled competition within medieval urban economies.