Burgesses of Guild of Aberdeen
Formation27 February 1214 (27 February 1214)
Websitehttp://www.aberdeenburgesses.com
a necktie with a red on blue pattern and a badge showing the date of founding: 1214
Burgess of Guid,, Aberdeen necktie

The Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen is an organisation which dates back over 800 years. Originally, with a membership composed of local merchants, it played a part in the Town Council for more than 700 years. With a changed role, diminished by legislation, it continues with a changed purpose and an active membership of over 1,100 members.

Early history

King Alexander II of Scotland (1214 - 1249) granted merchant Burgesses the sole right to form a Guild - Burgesses being citizens in Scotland willing to accept public responsibilities. [1] The Burgesses of Guild of the City of Aberdeen takes its founding date as 27 February 1214. Yet Aberdeen Burgesses are first mentioned in historic records as far back as 1124 when Aberdeen became a Royal Burgh. From 1214 the Guildry body influenced the composition of the Town Council and therefore, city affairs. The Burgesses of Guild were a part of the Council for more than 700 years and played a significant role in the growth and development of Aberdeen.[2]

Burgesses took an oath to further Aberdeen's economic interests; to pay taxes; and to defend the city against enemies. New Burgesses, on being admitted, had to donate a weapon to the city armoury, pay an entry fee which went toward the Common Good fund, and to pay for a large meal for councillors and Provost. Being a Burgess was exclusively for males, and certain classes (fishermen, clergy and lawyers ) were excluded. [1]

Burgesses took an active roll in the regulation of local markets, and the collection of the King's taxes. In return they were granted privileges, including exemption from toll charges.[2] From the mid 14th century a rift began between the Guild's merchants and craftsmen. Despite this the two groups united under Provost Robert Davidson to defend against the army raised by the Lord of the Isles at the Battle of Harlaw in 1411. [1] The merchants remained as the Burgesses of Guild, and the craftsmen become the Seven Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen.

Recent history

As the privileges and rights of Burgesses declined, and the need for their role in preserving customs and laws diminished, including the reform brought by the Royal Burghs Reform Act of 1833, membership of the Guildry declined significantly. At the start of the 1800s, there were about 1000 burgesses - around 1 in 40 of the city's population. By 1817 it was 820, and by 1867 members had dwindled to 337. [3] This continued in the 20th century. In 1974 there were 336 members[4] - and 300 by 1981. [3] Things turned around in the 1980s as Aberdeen's population swelled due to the oil industry in the North Sea. By the year 2000 the number of members increased to 850.[3] In 2023 the number of Burgesses was around 1,100. [5]

In the 1980s another significant change occurred with the first seven women Burgesses being admitted in 1983. [3][6]

On 27 February 2015, 500 attendees celebrated the 800th Anniversary of the Burgesses at a meal at Beach Ballroom Aberdeen.[7]

(Lord) Deans of Guild

The title of `Dean of Guild' - i.e. the senior official representing the Guild - came into being in 1427 [1][4] Prior to that date they were led by the burgh Alderman, later the Provost, From that first date until 1833 the Dean was an official of the Town Council, and he was so appointed. Following the Reform Act of Scottish burghs in 1833 Deans of Scottish Guilds were made constituent members of the Town Councils, appointed by their members, and not elected by public vote. [8]

Originally, the Dean was charged with enforcing burgh regulations relating to trade, and for overseeing the upkeep of council property. He upheld the liberties of the burgh. For example in the 16th century The Dean of the time was sent with armed men to arrest a Norwegian ship illegally landing cargo at Newburgh. He routinely supervised the loading of ships bound of foreign ports. In 1597 the Dean supervised the burning of several witches, and the execution of pirates. [1]

In February 2015 the Lord Lyon of Scotland bestowed the title of Lord Dean of Guild to the Aberdeen Burgesses of Guild, Colin Taylor being the first to take up this new title.

For the first time, in 2022, Aberdeen Burgesses of Guild appointed Sylvia Halkerston as the first Lady Lord Dean.

Deans of Guild since 1833

19th-century Deans

From[1] To Dean description
1833 1834 Thomas Bannerman merchant
1834 1835 Alexander Forbes merchant
1835 1837 Nei Smith jnr. merchant
1837 1838 Peter Williamson druggist
1838 1839 Leslie Clark merchant
1839 1840 Peter WIlliamson
1840 1842 George Thomson jnr. shipowner, Provost, MP for Aberdeen
1842 1843 James B McCombie advocate
1843 1845 Alexander Milne merchant
1845 1847 James Hadden manufacturer
1847 1849 Alexander Gordon advocate
1849 1851 George B Bothwell candle manufacturer
1851 1853 George Inglis merchant
1853 1855 Alexander Nicol shipowner, Lord Provost
1857 1860 George Thomson merchant
1860 1863 George Jamieson merchant, Lord Provost
1863 1866 George B Bothwell
1866 1869 George Jamieson
1869 1871 Hugh Ross
1871 1873 Lewis Smith bookseller
1873 1880 Alexander Walker merchant
1880 1885 John Sangster druggist
1885 1889 David Stewart manufacturer, Lord Provost
1889 1895 David Macdonald
1895 1902 James Walker merchant, Lord Provost

20th-century Deans

From[1] To Name Description
1902 1905 Alexander Lyon hide and tallow merchant, Lord Provost
1905 1911 James Murray North Inveramsey
1911 1919 William Meff fish merchant, Lord Provost
1919 1925 Harry A Holmes trawler owner
1925 1927 David M Kilgour merchant
1927 1935 John Spencer of Binghill
1935 1942 Robert Littlejohn merchant
1942 1950 Joseph Bisset engineer
1950 1955 George Strathdee baker
1955 1971 James R Donald director
1971 1981 James R Leith shipowner, MD Ellis & McHardy[4]
1981 1998 Bill Wylie seedman
1998 2002 Bill MkKimmie architect

21st-century Deans and Lord Deans

From [9][10][11][12] To Name Description
2002 2006 Andrew Lewis
2006 2015 Fred Dalgarno
2015 2022 Colin Taylor first Lord Dean of Guild
2022 Present Sylvia Halkerston

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Watson, Peter (2002). Burgesses of Guild - City of Aberdeen. Compass Print Limited. ISBN 0-900017-57-0.
  2. 1 2 "About Us | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Possible Extinction? | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  4. 1 2 3 Hamilton, Sheila (12 Feb 1975). "A medieval 'throwback' hangs on". Aberdeen Evening Express. p. 8. Retrieved 19 Dec 2023.
  5. ↑ "Aberdeen Burgesses | Burgesses of the Guild of the City of Aberdeen". Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  6. ↑ Smith, Donald (29 November 1983). "Women make yet another breakthrough in Aberdeen". Aberdeen Press and Journal. p. 33. Retrieved 20 Dec 2023.
  7. ↑ McKay, David (2015-02-16). "800 years of Aberdeen Burgesses of Guild". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  8. ↑ "Dean of Guild – Their role over the years | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  9. ↑ "New Lord Dean of Guild appointed | Aberdeen City Council". www.aberdeencity.gov.uk. 2022-09-06. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  10. ↑ "Appointment of Lord Dean as Lord President of the Court of Deans of Scotland | Aberdeen Burgesses". Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  11. ↑ "Colin G. Taylor - Trustee Director at Sport Aberdeen". THE ORG. Retrieved 2023-12-18.
  12. ↑ "About The Guild". Burgesses of Guild Aberdeen. Archived from the original on 11 March 2008.
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