Burgesses & Guild Brethren
A Burgess was a merchant given trading rights within the Burgh. The title of Burgess could only be achieved by completing an apprenticeship to a burgess, by right of being a burgess’ son or by marrying the daughter of a burgess.
Within the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses and Guild-Brethren, 1406-1841, reference was made to these specifications identified by R of F which meant by right of father; by R of W which meant by right of wife, and by R of UMQ which meant by right of deceased.
For most crafts the period was six years; goldsmiths, gunsmiths and clock and watch makers served seven years; and five years for bakers, surgeons and merchants. All of these were subject to alteration, in some cases reduced, in others lengthened in a purely arbitrary manner. The longest recorded apprenticeship was for ten years, the shortest, to a merchant, for three.
Guild Brethren was basically a precursor to the trade unions. The Guild’s mandate was to regulate and police the trades to protect members’ interests.
The Guildry of Edinburgh was formed for each type of craft or merchant. The book contains the names of all persons received as Apprentices to a merchant or craftsman, the father’s name, and the name of the burgess.
Benefactions were given from the Guildry when there was no Charity Workhouse.
Within the Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses and Guild-Brethren, 1406-1841, reference was made to these specifications identified by R of F which meant by right of father; by R of W which meant by right of wife, and by R of UMQ which meant by right of deceased.
For most crafts the period was six years; goldsmiths, gunsmiths and clock and watch makers served seven years; and five years for bakers, surgeons and merchants. All of these were subject to alteration, in some cases reduced, in others lengthened in a purely arbitrary manner. The longest recorded apprenticeship was for ten years, the shortest, to a merchant, for three.
- The Register of Apprentices for the City of Edinburgh, from 29th May 1583 to 30th May 1666, was edited by Francis J. Grant, W.S., Lyon King of Arms, and was issued in 1906. The present volume carries on the work to the end of the year 1700, and owes much to its predecessor.
- The Registry of Apprentices of the City of Edinburgh, 1583-1800 contains the names of all persons received as Apprentices to a merchant or craftsman. The Registry identifies the apprentice’s name, father’s name, and the name of the Burgess.
Guild Brethren was basically a precursor to the trade unions. The Guild’s mandate was to regulate and police the trades to protect members’ interests.
The Guildry of Edinburgh was formed for each type of craft or merchant. The book contains the names of all persons received as Apprentices to a merchant or craftsman, the father’s name, and the name of the burgess.
Benefactions were given from the Guildry when there was no Charity Workhouse.