![]() ![]() We must rely on archaeological evidence to find out about the houses which were built in early Medieval Burghs during the 12thC. Where space was very limited, some buildings grew up and out – like the Guestrow. Also, in large towns, different market areas were created such as the Fleshmarket or the Fishmarket. This changed the shape and layout of the original burgh. As some Burghs grew, the Burgage plots started to get overcrowded and people even started to build in the market place. If there was a danger that strangers might bring disease or plague into the Burgh, the ports would not be opened to them. The times of Curfew were different in summer and winter and varied from Burgh to Burgh. Tolls were collected at the Ports or Town Gates, which were often closed at Curfew. Later, wooden Palisading and possibly a Ditch, would protect the Inhabitants of the Burgh from unwelcome Visitors. The Fences between the Burgage Plots and those creating the Dyke or ‘ Heidroom‘ at the bottom of the Plot were made of Wattle which was made up of twigs woven together. In this way the Fences at the ends of the Plots formed the Town Boundary, with each Burgess responsible for maintaining his own Section. The Plots usually ran to the Boundary of the Town, with Gates out the back to the Townlands, where there was often shared grazing ground for Animals. This Oven was used to Bake Bread for the Family, as Baxters were the only people allowed to sell Bread. There was also often an Oven which was shared by 2-Households next to each other. Animals, such as Pigs & Hens, were kept on the Backlands & Craftsmen would have their Workshops there too. The Well was in this area too, often next to the Midden, where all the Waste from the House went. In the area behind, known as the Backlands, (the area behind each House where Animals were kept, Food was grown, Craftsmen had their Workshops, and where the Midden & Well were) Vegetables & Fruit were grown for Family use and also for Sale. ![]() Houses were built on the part of the Plot nearest the Main Street. The Long Narrow Plots on which the Houses stood were known as Tofts or Rigs as well as Burgage Plots. For example, Mainard the Fleming who laid out Berwick was invited to lay out St Andrew‘s, and Ranulf, who was also Flemish, laid out Haddington & Glasgow. Some Burghs would copy each other and invite the same Liners to lay out their Burgh. These were Burgh Officers with responsibility for measuring Burgage Plots and supervising Building matters. The Burgage Plots were laid out by people called Liners. Land was divided into Long Plots, known as Burgage Plots and these would run between the Main Street and the Back Lane, creating a Herringbone pattern. In Scotland, a Burgh usually consisted of 1-Single Street with a back Lane running behind. Once Burgh Status was Granted, this led to the formal Laying Out of the Burgh. Charters giving Burgh Status were usually Granted to Settlements which already existed. If a Settlement had formed beside a Castle or Monastery on a Hill, then Streets would have to be Built on, or round, the base of the Hill. The Layout of Burghs – depended on the Geography of the area. St Katherine’s Hill & Adjacent Monasteries Only Burgesses who lived in Royal Burghs were Officially allowed to Trade Abroad. The people who lived in the Burgh were called Burgesses and not only had certain Rights but also Responsibilities. ![]() There were different Types of Burgh: Royal Burghs – Granted by the King or Queen.īurghs of Barony – like Torry Granted by a Lord.Ībbatial Burghs – Granted by the Abbot of a Monastery.Įcclesiastical Burghs – Granted by a Representative of the Church. Many of the 1st Royal Burghs were created by King David I( 1124-1153) and may have been created by a declaration of the King rather than by a Charter. In some Burghs today, only later Charters survive. Often, at a later time, a King or Queen would Issue a further Charter to confirm the Original Charter. A Charter was a Legal Document and was written on Parchment by a Monk or Scribe in Latin. ![]() Not all Villages or Towns became a Burgh: this was a special Privilege which was usually Granted by a Charter from the King or Lord to the Inhabitants. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |