Documents relating to the merchant guild and trade incorporations

• Reference:GB 252 B59/29
• Dates of Creation:1591-1860
• Language of Material:English

• Scope and Content

  Burgess and guildbrother tickets for various individuals, 1591-1671; Indentures of apprenticeship, 1721-1835; Letters, reports and returns relating to the investigation by the Home Department into incorporations, including returns for the Perth incorporations of the shoemakers, bakers, hammermen, wrights, tailors, fleshers and glovers, 1832-1833; Other papers including correspondence and lists of members for the guildry and various incorporations, 1591-1860

• Administrative / Biographical History

  The power to grant incorporated status to trades rested with the magistrates of royal burghs. An incorporated trade was granted the right to monopolise and control their trade within the burgh. A strict monopoly was enforced within Perth and non-members were not allowed to trade within the bounds of the town. Incorporations set strict guidelines controlling workmanship and protected work for the craft within the burghs against outsiders. They prevented apprentices from being drawn away from their masters and stopped irregularities and irresponsible craftsmanship amongst their members. An entry fee had to be paid to gain admission to the Incorporation. The son of a burgess paid the lowest fee, the son-in-law of a burgess paid more and a stranger paid the highest fee. Their names would be recorded in the minute books. Trades Incorporations were governed by a Deacon with the aid of a Boxmaster and a council of craftsmen who were elected annually. They held a court which could fine craftsmen for contravening the rules and held the ultimate penalty of expulsion. Incorporations also looked after the moral conduct of its members and helped them in sickness, poverty, infirmity and old age.

  The Guildry maintained trading standards within the burgh and ensured that all merchants complied with Guildry regulations. This included no sale of goods on Sunday nor hoarding food during times of famine.The first Dean of Guild was elected in the early fifteenth century to preside over the Guild Court, which dealt with disputes between traders and also collected fines for breaches of the trading laws. The Dean was also responsible for implementing Acts of Parliament and other orders from central government as they affected the Guild.In the early sixteenth century craftsman were admitted to the Guild Council

  After 1560 the Guildry gave active support to the minister at St. John's Kirk and contributed to the salary of the reader. They also paid a pension to their chaplain. This support was given from the money received from admissions which increased considerably at that time. Guildry members were expected to play an active role in Church life and if they did not they were fined.

• Access Information

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