The Burgesses and Guild Brethren of Glasgow

Lord let Glasgow flourish through the preaching of thy word and praising thy name

The Burgesses

The Burgesses of Glasgow were originally inhabitants of the town, who held land there and contributed to taxation and other burdens. The rank of burgess was later restricted to Merchants and Craftsmen. Only burgesses could enjoy the privileges of trading or practising a craft in the town or could vote in elections. Burgess tickets were also granted to outsiders who had performed some service for the City. The political privileges enjoyed by the burgesses were removed by the Reform Act in 1832 and their ancient exclusive trading rights were abolished in 1846. Thereafter admission as a burgess became a social status with charitable objectives and has so continued to the present day. Mitchell Library:Burgess Rolls

From earliest times the regulation of the admission of burgesses was in the hands of the community, and as representing the community, the power lay with the town council. Burgesses were received and sworn in the presence of the magistrates and council and their entries were engrossed in the Minute Books of the town.This procedure continued until 7 October 1609, upon which date, by act of council, the right was transferred to the Dean of Guild and his Council, and thereafter new admissions are recorded in the Act Books of that court Glasgow Burgesses, Preface, iii Some admissions are also recorded in the records of the Trades House of Glasgow. Trades House, pp. 32 et seq. and the records of the Merchants House. Merchants House, p. 105

Published Evidence and Further Reading

1. James R. Anderson, The Burgesses and Guild Brethren of Glasgow, 1573-1750 (Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1925), 571 pp. including indexes
2. James R. Anderson, The Burgesses and Guild Brethren of Glasgow, 1750-1846 (Scottish Record Society, Edinburgh, 1935), 566 pp. including indexes
3. The Records of the Trades House of Glasgow, A.D. 1605-1678 (Glasgow MDCCCCX), 574 pp. including index
4. View of the Merchants House of Glasgow; containing Historical Notices of its Origin, Constitution, and Property, and of the Charitable Institutions which it Administers (bell & Bain, Glasgow, MDCCCLXVI), 672 pp. including index
5. Burgh Records of the City of Glasgow. M.D.LXXIII - M.D.LXXXI. (Glasgow M.DCCC.XXXII.), 160 pp. including index
6. Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow, A. D. 1663-1690 (Scottish Burgh Record Society, Glasgow, MDCCCCV), 592 pp. including index
7. Abstracts of the Protocols of the Town Clerks of Glasgow, Edited by Robert Renwick, Depute Town Clerk. Vol. I. First Protocol Book of William Hegait, 1547-55 (Carson & Nicol, Glasgow, MDCCCXCIV), 108 pp. including indexes
8. Abstracts of the Protocols of the Town Clerks of Glasgow, Edited by Robert Renwick, Depute Town Clerk. Vol. II. William Hegaits's Protocols, 1555-60, with Appendix 1503-1610 (Carson and Nicol, Glasgow, MDCCCXCVI), 151 pp. including indexes