he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council
he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council
he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council
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<strong>he</strong> <strong>concept</strong> <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong> <strong>Burgess</strong> <strong>oath</strong> <strong>belongs</strong>to feudal times and is mentioned in T<strong>he</strong>Laws <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong> Four Burghs, traditionallyascribed to King David I. An <strong>Aberdeen</strong> textwritten on t<strong>he</strong> original flyleaf <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong><strong>Council</strong>’s Register for 1585-1589 may wellbe t<strong>he</strong> original medieval <strong>oath</strong>, and reads -I Salbe Leill and Trew to t<strong>he</strong> King <strong>of</strong> Scotland hisairis and successouris to t<strong>he</strong> burgh and fredome <strong>of</strong>abirdeneNevir Skayth ot<strong>he</strong>r Manis pr<strong>of</strong>feit for feeI sall obey to t<strong>he</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficiaris <strong>of</strong> this burgt to quhatestgait that ever I cumI sall voit, c<strong>he</strong>is nominat nor elect na persone norpersones to be provest nor baillie <strong>of</strong> this burgt botburgessis merchandis traffiquaris, and actualindwellaris <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong> samynI shall giff leill and trew counsale and t<strong>he</strong> bestqu<strong>he</strong>n I am requyritI sall conceile t<strong>he</strong> counsale <strong>of</strong> this burgt warnethaime <strong>of</strong> thair skayt<strong>he</strong> and lat it at my powerI sall governe na unfre manis gudis under colour <strong>of</strong>my aininI sall scat, lott wac<strong>he</strong> walk and ward with t<strong>he</strong>inhabitants t<strong>he</strong>r<strong>of</strong>Na lordship to seikit in contrar t<strong>he</strong> liberte <strong>of</strong> thisburgtSwa <strong>he</strong>lp me god be my awin hand and all that godmaid.TranslationI will be true and faithful to t<strong>he</strong> King <strong>of</strong> Scotland,his <strong>he</strong>irs and successors, and to t<strong>he</strong> burgh andliberty <strong>of</strong> <strong>Aberdeen</strong>(I will) never injure anot<strong>he</strong>r man’s well being forpr<strong>of</strong>itI will obey t<strong>he</strong> <strong>of</strong>fice bearers <strong>of</strong> this burghwhatever position I reachI will not choose, nominate, vote for nor elect, anyindividual or individuals to be provost or baillie <strong>of</strong>this burgh except burgesses (who are) merchanttraders and actual residents <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong> same burghI will give true and honest advice to t<strong>he</strong> best <strong>of</strong> myability w<strong>he</strong>n neededI will keep secret t<strong>he</strong> deliberations <strong>of</strong> this burgh(I will) forewarn t<strong>he</strong>m (sc. t<strong>he</strong> burgesses in council)<strong>of</strong> harm and prevent it if I canI will manage under pretence <strong>of</strong> ownership t<strong>he</strong>goods <strong>of</strong> no one (who is) not a burgessI will pay my due share <strong>of</strong> taxation and undertakewatch, patrol and guard duties in turn with t<strong>he</strong>inhabitants <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong> burgh(I will) seek no patronage to t<strong>he</strong> injury <strong>of</strong> t<strong>he</strong>freedom <strong>of</strong> this burghSo <strong>he</strong>lp me God - by my own hand and by allGod’s creation
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