|
History of the Hammermen of
Glasgow
A Study typical of Scottish Craft Life and Organisation by Harry
Lumsden, LL.B. and Rev. P. Henderson Aitken, D.Litt (1912)
PREFACE
The object of the
following volume has been twofold: (First) To supply to those
interested a History of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Glasgow
from the earliest times for which records can be found, to the
present day; (Second) To give to the general reader a typical and
systematic study of the life and organisation of a Scottish craft in
its most important relations. Craft histories are already numerous,
but so far as the authors are aware the writers of the great
majority of them have not attempted to show the craft as an organism
playing a considerable part in the greater organism of the burgh.
This has been one of the chief"aims of the present work, and as a
consequence it has sometimes been found necessary to draw upon the
experience of other crafts or other burghal or even State
institutions, to explain or illustrate a phase of craft life in
which the records of the Hammermen may have been deficient. For the
same reason, copious use has also been made of the records of the
Trades House and of the Town Council of Glasgow in whatever
connection the Hammermen are referred to in these archives. The
authors have divided their labours in accordance with their original
scheme. Book I., dealing with the constitution and organisation of
the craft, the rights and duties of the craftsmen, and the relation
of the craft with the Guildry and the Town Council has been written
by Mr. Lumsden, and concludes with a short sketch of the transition
to reformed institutions. Book II., which depicts craft life and
work, private and public, at kirk and market, in change-house and
writing-rooms, at hospital and hall, has been taken up by Dr. Aitken.
He has also written the general introduction.
The work has been made much easier by the many facilities and kind
assistance rendered by Mr. Hugh Moncrieff, Clerk of the
Incorporation; and the unique collection of examples of
craftsmanship recently housed in the Scottish National Historical
Exhibition at Kelvingrove, has made it possible to provide
illustrations of hammermen handiwork, many specimens having been
actually made in Glasgow by craftsmen whose names may be found in
the membership roll.
The Hammermen of Edinburgh
And their Altar in St Giles Church being Extracts from the Records
of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh 1494 to 1558 with
Introductory Notes by John Smith, Author of "A Handbook and
Directory of Old Scottish Clockmakers".
PREFACE
UMEROUS books have
been written about Edinburgh, all dealing more or less with the rise
and progress of the city in by-gone years, and diversified in scope
and treatment. Nothing has, however, fully described the part the
humble craftsman played in this development, especially during the
fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Possibly this has been owing to
lack of original and authentic details, as the chief sources of
information have been either unknown to, or entirely overlooked by
the compilers of Edinburgh history. Fortunately there remains
preserved to us some of the Records of the various Trade
Incorporations which flourished in the city during these two
centuries, and these portray in a wondrous and vivid manner an
account of the daily life and habits of these sturdy and independent
men.
The present volume gives for the first time a series of extracts
from the Records of the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh one
of the oldest of these crafts the original manuscripts of which
cover, without a break, their transactions from 1494 to the present
time. The first volume only has been drawn upon for the present, but
it covers a period of great historic value. Interesting side-lights
are thrown upon incidents referred to in contemporary history which
are as yet imperfectly understood.
The Introduction and Notes give prominence to the part religion
played in the daily life of the craftsmen in Pre-Reformation days;
and an attempt has been made to identify the site of the altar with
which so much of it was associated. The latter may seem to many
quite unnecessary, but when we consider what has been done in St
Giles Church within recent years to commemorate events, persons, and
sites pertaining to the Post-Reformation period of the building,
surely it is of importance to throw light upon its Pre-Reformation
history. The opinions expressed are prompted by a sincere desire to
help towards removing the uncertainty which has existed regarding
the interior of St Giles Church before the Reformation; and are the
result of a careful study of the Records.
The details are given with remarkable precision and clearness year
by year, but as much sameness occurs in the entries for Saints' and
festival days, needless repetition has been avoided, while care has
been taken to note any changes which took place. The various lists
of Craftsmen form a valuable and reliable directory of our old
Edinburgh citizens, and are given entire.
I have to thank the Deacon, and Clerk of the Hammermen's
Incorporation for so kindly and freely granting me permission to
make the Extracts from their Records; and for allowing me to
facsimile the Seal and "Seills of Cause," which illustrate this
volume.
JOHN SMITH.
EDINBURGH, 1906.
The Perth Hammermen Book
(1518 to 1568)
With an Introducatory Sketch by Colin A. Hunt
Gentlemen,
On the motion of John Stewart, Esq., Deacon, you resolved to print
the oldest portion of your “Auld Buik,” with such Introduction and
Notes as might elucidate the history of the Incorporation, and
entrusted to me the preparation of the same for the press. I have
now to express a hope that your resolution has been fitly carried
out.
In connection with the preparation for the press, I have to
acknowledge the kindness of A. G. Reid, Esq., Auchterarder. His
advice was always given from a hearty interest in the subject, and
his stores of information on Scottish antiquities have been of real
service.
I have pleasure in subscribing,
“Ane of the Brether,”
COLIN A. HUNT. Scottish Pewter-Ware and Pewterers
By L. Ingleby Wood (pdf) |
