In the early twelfth century the first burghs began to be established in medieval Scotland. This essay will explain why burghs were attractive places to live. It will discuss and explain the different types of burghs, and the charters that were used to govern them. It will highlight the European and, in particular, the Flemish influence in the growth and expansion of burghs. It will look at the types of trade, taxes and economy …, and finally the security of the people that lived in the burghs. The essay will then propose an independent conclusion based on consultation of the source material. Early in the 12th century Scotland began to align its self with the rest of Europe. Scotland had direct contact with the Flemish states through
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Trade would not prosper in a burgh “without some degree of harmony and consensus among its members. Common economic interests encouraged unity”. (5) The concentration of trade within the burghs gave the residents several advantages. Trade was more secure. Burghs were the most important settlements in the area. As the markets were the only place to trade it brought the outside traders into the burgh. This ensured a steady supply of fuel and food for the citizens. The burgesses who charged a fee to trade in the market controlled this. Most burghs also had tollbooths to collect tolls from traders moving in and out of towns. This also boosted the income of the burgh …show more content…
A good example of this is the burgh of Inverurie. “It was established at the end of the 12th century in association with the castle of David Earl of Huntingdon in his new lordship of Gairloch”. (2) “Of 31 royal burghs founded before 1286 only seven were not associated with royal castles”.(6). This suggests burghs were established to provide a place of safety for the burgh citizens to live safely and prosper through the trade opportunities the burghs created. It could also be argued that the establishment of burghs around or close to castles was for defensive reasons but there is no evidence to support this. Historians have differing opinions about the exact reasons why burghs were set up. There is a lack of base evidence so it is left for the historians to theorise on the reasons and motives.—own words from (6) page
Trade would not prosper in a burgh “without some degree of harmony and consensus among its members. Common economic interests encouraged unity”. (5) The concentration of trade within the burghs gave the residents several advantages. Trade was more secure. Burghs were the most important settlements in the area. As the markets were the only place to trade it brought the outside traders into the burgh. This ensured a steady supply of fuel and food for the citizens. The burgesses who charged a fee to trade in the market controlled this. Most burghs also had tollbooths to collect tolls from traders moving in and out of towns. This also boosted the income of the burgh …show more content…
A good example of this is the burgh of Inverurie. “It was established at the end of the 12th century in association with the castle of David Earl of Huntingdon in his new lordship of Gairloch”. (2) “Of 31 royal burghs founded before 1286 only seven were not associated with royal castles”.(6). This suggests burghs were established to provide a place of safety for the burgh citizens to live safely and prosper through the trade opportunities the burghs created. It could also be argued that the establishment of burghs around or close to castles was for defensive reasons but there is no evidence to support this. Historians have differing opinions about the exact reasons why burghs were set up. There is a lack of base evidence so it is left for the historians to theorise on the reasons and motives.—own words from (6) page