The Monopoly Was Broken in the Late 18th Century

In medieval times, the guilds were really, really strong. They dictated everything you used to make your produce. And there were guilds but forbid things like sneezing or nodding at passersby because this was thought to be a bad thing. So they didn't want any competition between any of their members. This is in medieval England and France and not by the European countries. If you weren't a member of the guild, you would not be allowed to sell your carrot or your bracelets or whatever.