Burghers 2024

Burghers 2024 The Aiberdeen Burghers from An Unfinished Work pamphlet no 201 by Sheena Blackhall/ Middleton Under a charter granted by King Alexander II who reigned from 1214-1249, merchant burgesses were given the sole right to form a Guild, and this body exercised considerable power in the composition of the local Council. Ambassadors to serve the city's needs Burgesses once repelled her enemies Donated weapons to the armoury Paid for a feast to treat town councillors The burghers held a guild box full of funds Banded with iron, with four locks, four keys Before the days of safes and internet No scams back then, no IT expertise In the sixteenth century Norwegian ships At Newburgh whilst unloading, they were seen But Newburgh was not a free port then- Under the jurisdiction of Aberdeen The Dean of Guild came with an armed officer Arrested the crew, removed sails from each mast If paperwork was wrong he'd set in motion Attack, declared it a pirate ship, in the past In fifteen ninety seven, the Dean watched over Burning of witches, pirates' execution The rebuilding of part of the old town house In all things civic, seeking a solution Isobel Skuddie was burned as a witch in March Needing loads of peat and fir for fire Tar barrels and a stake to tether her Pay for John Justice, hangman, to light the pyre Most executions were on the Heading Hill Thousands of citizens came to watch the scene 22 women in one year alone Met death by fire as a witch in Aberdeen Today, the Guildry supports selected citizens The Guildry award scheme gifts grants to the special The Dean in full regalia joins Remembrance Sunday, kirkin of the council As in the past, still in the town today The burghers put the city's fortunes first This port that is a global trading point This cradle that its citizens has nursed