By this time the old guilds had ceased to be tied to specific trades and had acquired a mostly folkloristic and societal function, uniting the upper strata of old and well-to-do clans of Zürich and Ägeri.
By this point, the old guilds had detached themselves from specific occupations and assumed a predominantly folkloric and social role, uniting the upper classes of old and affluent families in Zurich and Ägeri.