he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council

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Establishment of a town council can betraced back to 1179 when the burgh’sBurgesses were granted a free Hanse freedom to act as a corporate body withpower to make its own rules of localgovernment.In early days, a new Burgess had to paynot only an entry fee to the CommonGood, he was also required to wine anddine Council members.When Queen Margaret Tudor, consort toJames IV and sister to Henry VIII,visited Aberdeen in 1511 she wasescorted into the burgh under a canopyheld by four Burgesses.In the 15th Century it was absolutelyessential that each Burgess have apersonal residence and possess propertyin the burgh. Non-resident Burgessescould be deprived of their freedom totrade.In 1576 it was decreed that after thefeast of St Martin no Burgess wouldwear plaid. Penalty - fined 40 shillings.In 1598 the Guild prohibited membersfrom wearing blue bonnets. Penalty - £5.Early Royal charters granted bysuccessive monarchs were all directedtowards the burgh’s Burgesses, someexclusively, others also towards thecommunity.In 1357, three Burgesses from Aberdeenwere appointed with others fromEdinburgh, Perth and Dundee tonegotiate for the ransom of King DavidII held captive, but in comfort, inEngland. The figure - 100,000 merkssterling.Burgh records of November 1736 tell ofa contract drawn up between the Dean ofGuild and William Durward - anent thetown’s dung.In 1296, letters patent were submitted onbehalf of Aberdeen Burgesses and thecommunity promising to serve well andloyally their dear Lord, Edward, King ofEngland, and his heirs.In October 1393, Robert III grantedlicence to Aberdeen Burgesses to build aTown House, 80ft by 30ft, on anysuitable site, but not in the midst of themarket place.It was customary that a new Burgess’sentry fee be handed over ceremonially ina white kid bag. By the 1970s the bagswere in need of cleaning and were dulywashed. They disintegrated.In the mid-16th Century, one Burgessgranted leave of absence from the burghfor three years without losing hisfreedom status had to arrange that afellow Burgess undertook to meet hisshare of taxation and other charges.First mention of the Guild Box fundcomes in burgh records of July 16 1600when the Town Council ordered that asuitable box be made to hold offeringsand fines, such to be bestowit to the helpand support of the dacayit brether ofGild.Assessors to the Dean of Guild werefirst appointed in 1609. Four were then
chosen each year from those who hadheld Council office for at least threeyears.In 1738, William Young of Sheddocksleywas admitted as an infant Burgess at theage of two. He twice served as Provostof Aberdeen, from 1778 to 1780, andfrom 1782 to 1784.A condition of entry to the Guildry thathas remained through the years statesthat no Burgess or any member of hisfamily shall be anywise burdensome onthe Town of Aberdeen for the space often years from the date of entry.In medieval days, Burgesses wereencouraged to practise theirmarksmanship at the Links range.Nowadays, some Burgesses can still befound practising at the Links - on thegolf range.In keeping with modern practice, bothmen and women can qualify foradmission as Burgesses of Guildprovided that they live or have abusiness address within the City ofAberdeen and should ● Be at least 25 years of age● Have some years of experience inindustry, commerce or theprofessions● Hold or have held a position ofresponsibility in his or her businessor organisation● Have shown involvement inactivities outwith work which areof benefit to the communityThis booklet is not intended as adefinitive history of Aberdeen Burgessesof Guild. It is designed to give new oraspiring Burgesses, existing membersand the public an indication of how theorganisation came about and of its roleover the years, particularly from itsinception in the 12th Century until thefar-reaching reforms of local governmentin the mid-19th Century.The Dean of Guild is grateful toeveryone involved in the compilationand production of this booklet, much ofwhich is based on a previous history ofthe Guild written by the late Kenneth J.Peters. Those principally involvedinclude Judith Cripps, City Archivist,and other staff members of AberdeenCity Council. In particular, however,very special thanks are due to PeterWatson, who researched and preparedthe text, and to Gordon Henry, who notonly designed the graphics and format ofthe booklet but also oversaw all otheraspects of its production. Their effortsmade this publication possible.Text: Peter Watson©The Burgesses of Guild of the City of AberdeenDesign: Gordon E. HenryPhotography: Norman Adams©Aberdeen City CouncilPhotographs of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and WinstonChurchill courtesy of Aberdeen JournalsPrinted by Compass Print LtdISBN 0 900017 57 0Published May 2002
Page 2 and 3: he concept of the Burgess oath belo
Page 4 and 5: Dean and Assessors with the pre 182
Page 6 and 7: Detail from Plan of Aberdeen 1661
Page 8: We do not know who were the firstBu
Page 11 and 12: ut Guild members had to pay a furth
Page 13 and 14: Although it was agreed that theGuil
Page 15 and 16: BURGESS OF GUILDABERDEEN1214Left to
Page 17 and 18: Royal authority for the formation o
Page 19 and 20: The Dean in full regaliamaintains a
Page 21 and 22: Guildries of Scottish burghs. At a
Page 23 and 24: Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother ad
Page 25: The Dean of Guild andCity Archivist

he concept of the Burgess oath belongs - Aberdeen City Council

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