A burgh /ˈbʌrə/ is an autonomous municipal corporation in Scotland and Northern England, usually a city, town, or toun in Scots. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs.
What does burgh mean in Scottish?
a town
1. (in Scotland) a town, esp one incorporated by charter, that enjoyed a degree of self-government until the local-government reorganization of 1975. 2. an archaic form of borough (sense 1)
Is Edinburgh a burgh?
In 1929 all burghs were classified as small burghs, large burghs or cities for local government purposes. The four cities for local government purposes were Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
What is a Royal Scottish burgh?
A royal burgh was a type of Scottish burgh which had been founded by, or subsequently granted, a royal charter. Although abolished by law in 1975, the term is still used by many former royal burghs.
Where did the word burgh come from?
Etymology. From Middle English borwe, borgh, burgh, buruh, from Old English burh, from Proto-West Germanic *burg, from Proto-Germanic *burgz (“city, stronghold”).
What does burgh mean?
Definition of burgh
: borough specifically : an incorporated town in Scotland having local jurisdiction of certain services.
Why is burgh pronounced borough?
Pronounciation of ‘burgh’
Anyone growing up in Scotland will realize the error of this statement, specific to the pronunciation of burgh: “Pronunciation is the same as for the English word borough, which is a near cognate of the Scots word”.
What makes a town a burgh?
A burgh /ˈbʌrə/ is an autonomous municipal corporation in Scotland and Northern England, usually a city, town, or toun in Scots. This type of administrative division existed from the 12th century, when King David I created the first royal burghs.
What is the old name for Edinburgh?
Din Eidyn
Edinburgh was referred to in the form “Din Eidyn” or “Fort of Eidyn”, when the settlement was a Gododdin hillfort.
What is the Gaelic name for Edinburgh?
Dùn Èideann
The name Edinburgh is used in both English and Scots for the capital of Scotland; in Scottish Gaelic, the city is known as Dùn Èideann. Both names are derived from an older name for the surrounding region, Eidyn.
What makes something a royal burgh?
Royal burghs were created by the crown with the crown as the feudal superior. Burghs of barony and regality were created by royal charter but at the request of major landowners (such as earls, barons, bishops and abbots). Burghs each had their own town councils, courts of law, schools and churches.
When did Edinburgh become royal burgh?
1130
In the 12th century (c. 1130), King David I, established the town of Edinburgh as one of Scotland’s earliest royal burghs, protected by his royal fortress, on the slope below the castle rock.
Is Musselburgh a royal burgh?
A Royal Burgh? Musselburgh became a royal burgh in 1632 by charter of Charles I, albeit very briefly. In the same year, wanting to maintain control over the area’s trade, the magistrates of Edinburgh obtained a decree reducing it back to a burgh of regality.
Why do city names end in Burg?
The variant burg had the meaning of a high place that is defendable. In German, it has kept the meaning of a medieval defensive castle, die Burg “boork”. Since towns often grew up around a lord’s castle, lots of German town names end in -burg, ditto people named for such towns.
How do you pronounce burgh?
Break ‘Burgh’ down into sounds: [BURR] + [UH] – say it out loud and exaggerate the sounds until you can consistently produce them. Record yourself saying ‘Burgh’ in full sentences, then watch yourself and listen.
What does burgh mean in Anglo Saxon?
A burh (Old English pronunciation: [burˠx]) or burg was an Old English fortification or fortified settlement.
What is a burgess in England?
Definition of burgess
1a : a citizen of a British borough. b : a representative of a borough, corporate town, or university in the British Parliament. 2 : a representative in the popular branch of the legislature of colonial Maryland or Virginia.
What do you call residents of Edinburgh?
The correct term is Dunediner and refers to the old name of the town, Dunedin, although Edinburgher does seem to be used alot (mainly by Glaswegians).
Why is Edinburgh pronounced Edinbrah?
The key to pronouncing Edinburgh like a Scot is to remember that we talk fast and don’t dwell on the vowels. So the way we say it sounds more like “Edin-bra” with the second part said faster and softer than the first. Another place name that always seems to trip up the visitor is “Pitlochry”.
How do you pronounce Edinburgh?
The standard phonetic pronunciation of Edinburgh is ed-in-bruh or ed-in-buh-ruh, as both are considered correct.
What does county mean in Scotland?
Counties were administrative areas that corresponded originally with the jurisdiction of a sheriff. By the 18th century there were 34 sheriffdoms or counties. The Scottish counties were: Aberdeenshire (or the County of Aberdeen)