The first of its kind, the House of the Twenty-Four of Lisbon was established in 1383 by John, Master of Aviz, in recognition of the city's populace after their loyal support of his regency in its struggle with the nobility during the 1383–1385 interregnum. The masters of the various "mechanical" professions were accorded representation on the Municipal Council, hitherto reserved to rural property owners, the minor nobility, and the wealthier members of the bourgeoisie. Before that date, craftsmen ("mesteirais") were sometimes summoned to municipal assemblies (such as in 1285, 1298, 1304, 1333, 1336, 1352, 1355, and 1364), but their political participation seemingly did not have significant weight and was even restricted by King Denis in 1298 because their opposing input slowed down the process.