Did organised crime exist in medieval European cities?

by The_Naughty_Spartan

Where there any groups who attempted to run protection rackets or controlled the trade of illicit materials?

gc3

Seriously, what we today think of 'Criminal' behavior against the state, in the medieval era was 'crimes against the king' or 'crimes against that king' or in some cases 'crimes against god'. There was no such state that had law enforcement powers that was not a particular person who had interests. And there were many jurisdictions: guilds and the like as well. So if you practiced baking but were not in the baker's guild, the baker's guild would be mad, but this would not concern the king. But if you hunted in the king's forest, this would make him mad and you'd be an outlaw.

In modern times, the state has the sole power of violence, and it alone has laws, and it has law enforcement powers. Organized crime means something different in a less modern era.