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WHEN the first grant of
trading privileges was made to Aberdeen the weavers and fullers (litsters
or dyers) seem to have looked upon themselves as distinctive classes of
burgesses, entitled to rank with the wealthier class of merchant
burgesses, and certainly superior to the ordinary plebeian craftsmen. In
the charter granted to the town by Alexander in 1222, we find that the
weavers and fullers or waulkers are specially mentioned as being
excluded from the merchant guild—a reservation which also occurs in the
charters granted about the same period to Perth and Stirling—and
notwithstanding several attempts to break through it, this exclusion was
maintained, and the weavers and litsters had to take their place among
the rest of the craftsmen.
In 1444 Robert of Petit
and William Hunter were sworn in as deacons to the "wobster" craft in
Aberdeen—a clear indication that little attention was being paid to the
Act of Parliament passed in 1427 putting down deacons, and declaring the
meetings of the craftsmen illegal conspiracies.
Although coupled together
in Alexander's charter, the weavers and litsters [The weavers and dyers
do not seem to have always dwelt in peace and concord, as the following
extract would show :- 17th December, 1582.—The said day the provost,
baillies, and consall, modifeit the amendis of William Ronaldsone,
walker, quha was convict ohefoir for the selandering and mispersoning of
David Castell, wobster, to compeer on Friday next the xxi. day of this
instant, within the tolbuyht of the said burght, and thair, in face of
court and oppin audience, sitting upoun his knees, ask the provost,
baillies, and pairtie offendit forgiveness, confessing his falt and
offence, revoking the words spoken be him as falss and untriew,
promisenand never to do the lyik in tyme coming under the pane of
banischement of the toune. —Council Register, vol. xxxi., p. 36.] formed
separate societies. The weavers do not seem to have considered it
necessary to apply to the Council for a formal Seal of Cause; they were
content apparently, with the recognition by the Town Council of their
power under Act of Parliament to elect a deacon, which
WEAVERS [15th May, 1682].—Azure, three
leopard's heads erased argent, each having in mouth a weaver's shuttle
or; in the middle chief a tower of Aberdeen. Motto: Spero in Deo et Ipea
facit.
was done from 1444. In
1530 [Council Register, col. xv., p. 341.] they entered into an
agreement declaring that they would act independently of the Town
Council; but the Council would not tolerate this independence, and
several offending "wobsters" were tried before the Sheriff and fined for
their "strubulence." A few years previously the litsters attempted to do
something of the same kind, by declining to join in the Corpus Christi
procession, but the Town Council interposed their authority and
compelled them to take their place among the rest of the craftsmen.
The weavers made no
further effort to separate themselves from the rest of the craftsmen,
and on the "sett of the burgh" being established, under which six
deacons were annually chosen to vote at the election of Provost and
office-bearers, the Weavers formed one of the six crafts on whom that
privilege was conferred.
Like the bakers and
shoemakers, the weavers were sharply looked after by the Town Council in
regard to the price of their work, and at intervals a standard was fixed
after the following fashion
14th October, 1584.—The
quhilk day the provost, baillies, and counsale upoun the greveous
complaint gevin in upoun the wobsteris for the gryt and exhorbutant
pryces taken be thame for the weyving of all soirtis of claytht
extorsenand thairby the inhabitants of this burght, and taking for thair
labouris at thair awin pleassour and appetit, express agains guid ordeur,
law, and consounce, as the said complaint mair fullelie proportit,
quhilk being considerit be thame and haveing consideratioun quhow that
the eln of ilk sort of claytht mycht be wrocht be the saidis wobsteris
haveing ressonabill proffeit and ganes of the pryces following :—That is
to say, the eln of tartan of all sortis, vid.; the elu of carsayis, iiid.;
the eln of quhyt plaiding, iiid.; the eln of hewit plaidis of all
soirtis, avid.; the eln of lynning, vid.; the eln of hardene, iiid.; the
eln of braid dornick, is.; the eln of narrow dornik, xiid.; and the
wobster refusand to observe this statute, and being convick for
contraveining thairof in ony poynt to be depryvit of his fredomn; as
alswa it was statute and ordanit that na wobster within this burght mak
ony clathyt, lynning, or wolne in any tome cuming, under the pane of
deprivation of him of his fredoume being callit and convict thaerfore.—Council
Register, vol. xxxi., p. 505.
The weavers were
continually being annoyed by Old Aberdeen weavers encroaching on their
privileges, and various measures were taken to punish the offenders. In
1686 the Weaver Trade of Old Aberdeen compelled one of their number
named George Porter, "to restore and give back again ane warped wob
quhilk he received from ane certaine person in Aberdene to be wrocht,
and that in respect the diacon of the Weaver Traid, with assent of the
said traid, did complain to the deacon upon the said George Porter for
taking in and resetting the foresaid wob for warping as said is, and
this to the effect that peace and unitie in all tyme cuining as has been
done in tymes bygane." We have, in connection with the Weaver craft, an
instance of the Town Council interposing its authority for the purpose
of allowing a new branch of industry to be introduced into the town. In
1597,- [A Council Register, vol. xxxvii., p. 106.] they granted to a
Fleming, named Michael Wandail, a special permission to manufacture
grograms, worsets, and stamings, free from any molestation from the
Weaver craft, on condition that he trained an apprentice in the
knowledge of his business.
In 1772, encroachments by
unfreemen having become more frequent, a petition was presented to the
Sheriff by the weavers, along with the hammermen, tailors, and
shoemakers, against what they designated the "encroachments of the Old
Aberdeen sub-wobs." The Sheriff-Substitute found that "the free
craftsmen of the burgh of Aberdeen have the sole liberty and privilege
of working craftsmen's wark for the burghers and inhabitants of the said
burgh, who bear scot, lot, watch and ward within the same, and that men
living in the suburbs or town of Old Aberdeen, Spithill, or Collidge
Bounds, and pairtts adjacent thereto can not work for burghers and
inhabitants of the said burgh; and ordains the defenders to desist from
working any craftsmen's wark and from carrying out or bringing in either
be themselves, wives, bairns, servants, or others in their name, any
wark belonging to burghers and inhabitants of the said burgh of
Aberdeen, under the penalty of ten pounds Scots money toties quoties."
In 1740 an example had to be made of a "bletcher" for encroaching on the
privileges of the Trade, and he "bound and enacted himself that he sail
never take in any wark from any other inhabitants of the town or freedom
of Aberdeen, to make the same either by himselif or his servants, under
the penalty of one hundred merks Scots."
The oldest minute book of
the Weaver Trade is a remarkably interesting volume, and contains a
greater variety of statutes and ordinances than some of the others. The
preface runs:—"Acts, statutes, and ordinances to be observed and keepit
among the brethren of the Weaver Craft of the burgh of Aberdeen in all
tyme cuming, sett dour in the year of God, 1591, restivet 1672, and
appointed to be keepit."
ANENT KEEPING THE SABBATH.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that ilk maister with his family repair discreetly to the
church upon the Lord's Day before and afternoon, and continuing till
God's worship be ended, and if it sall happen any maister of family be
found absent, and cannot give ane lauful excuse for his being absent,
then and in that case, he is to pay to the craft threttie shillings and
four pennies. In lyke manner each servant that sail transgress the lyke
manner they are to pay the lyke sum to the craft, and ane visitour to be
appointed for giving true information there-anent, and thereupon made
act.
ANENT BEHAVIOUR ON THE
SABBATH.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no freeman be fand walking abroad betwixt sermons or
aifter sermons, but sail keep within doors decentlie and orderlie, he
and his whole family, exercising or meditating upon that they have been
hearing (considering it is the Lord's Day): and if any sail contravene
the said Act, master or servant, sall be looked upon as disorderlie, and
sall pay to the boxmaster six shillings aucht pennies, and this Act to
be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT TAKING THE LORD'S
NAME IN VAIN.
Item, it is statute and
strictlie appointed that none of the craft in any fellowship or company,
and especially in ane fenced court, sail tak the name of the Lord in
vain: and if it sall happen ony to do, then and in that case, he sall
pay to the present boxmaster of the same craft six shillings aucht
pennies, and this act to be good.
ANENT BAD WORK.
Item, it is statute and
ordained for preventing of prejudice and slander that no freeman of the
foresaid craft sail sell nor way put any work whatsoever is made within
his own house till first he call for the chosen sworn visitours and show
the same unto them; and if there be any fault found be them with the
said work, then and in that case, they are to mak report to the present
deacon and maisters that ane speedy course may be taken for preventing
of any and such scandals, and if there sail be ane real fault found in
the said work, it is to be confiscat by the deacon and his maisters for
the use of the craft, and this act to be observed in all tyme curving.
ANENT THE PRICE OF WORK.
Item, it is strictlie
statute and ordained for preventing of slander that ilk weaver within
the traid be watchful and accurat in receiving of his work, and not to
entrust the same to no servant whatsomever, and if scandals sall arise,
then and in that case, he is to have allowed him of ilk work
proportionally to witt for every small plaid four ounces, as, also for
ilk stone of serg yairn half ane pund, and for ilk stone weight of serge
or plaiding ilk stone ane pund, and of a wheeling plaid six ounces, and
of each quivering four ounces, or if the quivering be grosser six
ounces, and proportionally ilk work equilland ; and this act to be
observed in all tyme curving.
ANENT WORKING ON THE
LORD'S DAY.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no weaver, himself, wife, nor servant, nor none in his
name sall be found searching and sic work upon the Lord's Day, or any
other day, then and in that case, if any sail be found guilty sail pay
twentie shillings scots for the first fault, to pay fourty shillings
scots, and that to come in for the use of the craft, and this to be
observed in all tyme curving.
ANENT INSUFFICIENT WORK.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that if any person sail complean to the deacon for insufficient
work, both parties sail be convened before the deacon, his maisters, and
the work to be sighted by them, and if the said work sail be
insufficiently done ; then, and in that case, the person sail be counted
upon the offender's expenses, as also the payment of the work to come in
for the use of the craft for the first fault, the second fault double,
thirdly to be looked upon as ane infamous neighbour, to be abolished out
among the incorporation of the craft, and this to be observed in all
tyme cuming.
ANENT DELAYING WORK.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that, if work sail happen to be long wrocht, the owner giving
ane complaint to the deacon, thereupon the deacon sail convene his
present maisters, together with the pairties, and they sail decreet a
set time to work the work, then and in that case, if he sail contravene
the same, he sail pay to the craft twenty shillings Scots for the first
fault, and the next fault forty shillings Scots, and this to be observed
in all tyme curving.
ANENT UNDERTAKING WORK.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no weaver sail tak upon them to lay no work by the loom
not having all necessars belonging therunto, and giving cause to the
owner to complain to the deacon, he sall pay to the present boxmaster
twenty shillings for the use of the craft for the first fault, and to be
doubled ; and thereupon made act.
ANENT THE AVOIDANCE OF
SLANDER.
Item, it is further
statute and ordained for avoiding of slander, that no neighbour sail tak
upon them to cut out either webb or plaids to gif satisfaction to the
party without the deacon's consent for the suppressing of slander, then,
and in that case, if any slander sall arise, they sall pay to the
present boxmaster forty shillings Scots, for the use of the craft, and
this to be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT USING NICKNAMES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever weaver of the craft sail use bywords or
nickname his neighbouris either out of hatred, malice, or envy, he being
lawfully called and accused before the deacons and maisters, and it made
out against him, sail pay for the first fault twenty shillings Scots,
and his fine to be double, ay and until the offender amend the fault,
and this to be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT GIVING THE LIE.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever freeman of the craft sail speak rudely or give
the lie or yet speak without leave askit or given in presence of the
deacon in an fencit court, or in ane private meeting, he sail pay to the
present boxmaster for the use of the craft forty shillings Scots toties
quoties, and this to be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT "SUBWOBS."
Item, it is strictly
statute and ordained that no freemen of the craft sail tak upon him or
plead for any unfreeman or subwob either before the court, deacon,
convener court, or before the magistrates; and furthermore that no
freeman of the traid sail tak in hand negatively or positively to plead
or speak one for another, then and in that case, if any person or
persons sail be found to contravene the foresaid presents to be deprived
of any privilege or benefit that they may have of the traid hous until
he supplicat the traid, and also to pay three pounds toties quoties for
ilk tyme this act is contravened for the use of the poor.
ANENT THE PROTECTION OF
WIDOWS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained with consent of the whole traid in one .voice that no freeman
within the same sall accept or tak his neighbour's relict, customs until
first he enquire at the customar with whom she did work obefore, and she
having consented to enquire at her former traidsman concerning her
former prices and goodness of work and payment, by so doing it may be
ane means to prevent prejudice and to keep up the prices, then and in
that case, who sall be found guilty to transgress this present act sail
pay into the present boxmaster twenty shillings Scots for the use of the
poore, and this to be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT DEALING WITH
UNFREEMEN.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no neighbour whatsomever of the craft sail tak upon hand
directly or indirectly to lend to any extranean or sub-wob graith, reed,
or any other material belonging to the weaver trade, then and in that
case, if any sail contravene this present act he sail be looked upon as
ane unruly member, and sail pay in to the present box-master twentie
shillings scots for the use of the poore, and to be observed in all tyme
cuming.
ANENT FEEING APPRENTICES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no servant sail be feed out of the deacon's presence that
sail stand as effect unless he be presented before the deacon and his
old master to be admonished, and that there be no kynd of private
promising nor conditioning, but all to be ratified before the deacon;
and if any sall be found to contravene, the same sail pay in to the
present boxmaster thirteen shillings four pennies as also that no
neighbour of the said traid sail be found to let or lend loomes, but
allenarly the sum of sixteen shillings ilk year and none exceed the
foresaid sum, then and in that case if any shall be found to contravene,
the same sail pay into the present boxmaster the sum of five pounds
scots for the use of the poor, and this to be observed in all tyme
cuming.
ANENT JOURNEYMEN.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that every extranean that comes into the town to fee with any
of the freemen sail pay for his entry thirty shillings scots to the
present boxmaster, and that within twenty-four hours after his entry to
his maister, and that his said maister shall not conceal the same as he
sall be answerable and conform to his oath of entry.
ANENT THE SIZE OF PLAIDS,
ETC.
Item, it is statute and
ordained with the consent of the haill craft for the punishment of vice
and the avoiding of slander that no freemen of the traid taks work on
hand to mix or putt two sundrie folks yairns in one Webb plaids, lining
stuff or any other work whatsomever ; in Tyke manner, the whole traid
hath condesended and agreed upon (and dooth discern) that every
fingering plaid sail be eleven ells and ane half of length, three
quarters of breadth, and every fuilling plaid eleven ells at the least,
and every quivering to be six quarters broad and two ells of length at
the least, and this act to be observed, providing always the parties do
not agree, and whosoever sail be found to contravene this present act
sail pay for his first fault fourty shillings and each fault thereafter
to be double, and lie to be committed always for an unfaithful member
hereafter.
ANENT NIGHT WALKING AND
BREAKING SERVICE.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever journeyman having lawfully feid before the
deacon sail happen to break out of his maister's service without leave
askit and grantit, or sail be found out of his bous aifter ten o'clock
at night sail pay for his brak of service to his maister (for the day)
three four (l) pennies, and for night thirteen shillings and four
pennies to be payt to the present boxmaster for the use of the poor.
ANENT APPEALING TO THE
SUPERIOR COURTS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever freeman of the fore-said traid sail mak his
redress to any superior judge in meeting not belonging to our own traid,
he sail be holden as perjured, and conform to his oath at his entry; and
sail pay for his transgression the sum of fourty shillings Scots to the
present boxmaster for the use of the poore, and this to be observed in
all time cuniing.
ANENT PRECEDENCE IN THE
KIRK.
Item, it is statute and
ordained, the whole traid being convenit for the maist pairt (for the
tyme), having taken to their serious consideration the great abuse they
have in their church loft be young freemen who presume to place
themselves before some old deacons and present maisters, against all
equity and sense and reason, tharefore the said haill craft in ane voice
has statute and ordained in all tyme to cum, in presence of Doctor
William Guild, foundator of the whole traids of this burgh, that the
present deacon sail have his own place in the first roome, and next him
the old and late deacons in the next roome, and thereafter the present
maisters of the said traid carrying office, and last of all everie
honest man of the said traid sail have his place conform to his
admission, and in case any other young man of the said traid who has not
carried office sail contravene this present act, and presume to place
themselves in any of the foresaid roomes until the second bell, both
forenoon and afternoon, being desired by the present deacon or maisters
to remove, before the last bell, to give place to the said deacon and
maisters, sail pay twenty shillings Scots to the common box of the said
traid toties quoties for ilk brak.
ANENT BUYING SPANZIE.
[The skin of the spanzie was used for making reeds.]
Item, it is statute and
ordained be the deacon, maisters, and hail members of the Weaver Traid
that no freeman presume in any tyme hereafter to buy any spanzie
privately or publicly for their own comoditie from merchant or stranger,
but they salt acquant the deacon of the calling therewith; and that it
is only expedient that the deacon and maisters of the calling to buy the
said spanzie for the use of the foresaid traid, and none but they only ;
and whatsoever person or persons sail be found to transgress the said
act sail be halden as perjured, and a braker of his oath at his entry;
and, further, sail be convicit in ane unlaw of ten pounds Scots to the
present boxmaster for the use of the poor of the said traid, and never
to be looked upon as ane lawful member, and never to carry the office of
ane deacon or maister in tyme to cum, it being lawfully provided that
ilk reedmaker is to have as much spanzie as serves to mak reeds for the
use of the calling, and no more, and ordains this act to stand for a
memorial in all tyme cuming.
ANENT WATCHING UNFREEMEN.
Item, it is statute and
ordained with ane unanimous consent of the said whole traid that everie
freeman thereof sail watch and wait unfree-men and to catch them with
unfree work, ilk ane tyme and place about, according to the order of
their names as set down in the book, and any that disobeys and
contravens herein sail pay six shillings Scots, to fee and hire ane
other to supply their place in the business toties quoties.
ANENT REFUSING TO ATTEND
MEETINGS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that everie neighbour of craft who is lawfully warned and
charged by the deacon's officer to court or convention, then and in that
case if the foresaid person sail not give obedience so that the deacon
be constrained for to send and poynd them, or if he or any other sail
deforce the said officer from taking of ane sufficient poynd he sail be
holden as disobedient and salt pay to the use of the craft twenty
shillings Scots, and this act to continue firm and sure always.
ANENT WORKING GEAR.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that everie member freemen of the craft sail be sufficiently
provided of working gears so that they may be able to serve the king's
lieges according to their aith at their entry, and that it sail be
leisim to the deacon and his maisters to mak search once in ilk year and
to punish accordingly at their pleasure.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that all freemen of the said traid sail be sufficiently
provided of weights, back, and broad, and elwand and staks be of
sufficient weight and length, and to be sighted yearly by the deacon; as
also that any neighbour of the traid who sail occupie any of his
neighbours work loomes more non ante without leave asked or given, sail
pey in to the present boxmaster twenty shillings Scots money, and this
to be observed in all tyme cumiug.
ANENT MEANS TO CARRY ON
BUSINESS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained with uniform consent and assent that neither extraneans nor
prentisses sail presume or be accepted to be freman, until he be in
ability with forty pounds beyond that whilk sail mak him freeman,
together with an stand of sufficient armour wherein to serve the King's
Majesty ; as also sufficient work loomes for prosecuting of his
handywork, and that he sail refer himself to the will of the Traid in
all poynts as effeirs, and this act to be strictly observed in all tyme
cuming.
ANENT APPRENTICES' FEES.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that whatsomever freeman of the traid sail receive twa
prentices sail pay of entries for the first thirteen shillings four
pennies, and for the second forty shillings, and upwards if he have any
more prentisses ; and this to be observed in all tyme cuming.
ANENT THE TRADES PROPERTY.
It is statute and
ordained that the whole trades common necessaries such as ane stand of
arms, complete with a twa handed sword, nichpiece, and Acts of
Parliament,-box, writs, bonds, pencills, and staves with all other kynd
of necessaries belonging to the said incorporation sail be weill keepit
and upholden upon the traids own charges, and likewyse sail be delivered
to every new deacon at the tyme of their election, and if any deacon
sail pretend any expenses for the keeping of any of those materials,
they salt be looked upon as a person doing prejudice to the common good
; and if any prejudice salt befall them, to mak them up upon his own
expenses, and to pay into the present boxmaster forty shillings for the
use of the poor.
ANENT THE BOUNTY TO
SERVANTS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no freeman salt tak upon hand to give to any fiall servant
a half of their bounties, but that the fiall sail leave that to his
maisters discretion and modification, and whatsomever maister he be that
sail contravene this present act sail be holden as contumacious and
contravener of good ordour, and sail pay into the present boxmaster
forty shillings scots to the use of the poore.
ANENT PAYMENT OF SERVANTS.
Item, it is statute and
ordained that no servant sail tak upon hand to go to any of his maisters
customers to receive or uptak any money without leave askit of his
maister, and in case of necessity the said servant man have nothing to
work the work upon, then, and in that case he sail require of his
maister some payment to work the same work, and if his maister sail
require to give him any, he salt mak his redress to the deacon, and
after the deacon having heard and considered with his maister the
foresaid premises to determine according to reason, but if the foresaid
sail do in the contrair, then he is to pay to the present boxmaster
twenty shillings scots for the use of the poore.
ANENT ENTRY MONEY.
Item, it is statute and
ordained unanimously with consent of the haill traid that in all tyme
cuming every prentiss of the calling who has duly served his maister,
being ane freeman, and being an indentur, pay betwixt them, when he is
to be received freeman of the traid and supplicat for that effect, he
sail pay of composition to the traid of hand money upon the Trinity
table the sum of fifty merks annual scots money, and to be free of any
banquet, dinner, or anything of that nature to be craven be the traid
from him ; and also, that everie extranear who sail enter freeman of the
traid in all tyme hereafter sall pay to the traid of composition and
band money as said is the sum of fore score merks usual scots money, and
sicklyke to be free of banquet, dinner, or anything of the lyke nature
to be craven of him be the traid, the said prentiss paving ane rex
dollar with ane bill and fourty shillings scots money of say and the
extrauear the double thereof.
ANENT FINDING BAIL OR
CAUTION.
18th February, 1693.—The
said day it is statute and ordained by voice of court that no freeman of
the said incorporation sail meddle to become cautioner for any freeman's
prentiss to the Magistrates of Aberdeen anent his liberation out of the
tolbooth of Aberdeen unacquanting the deacon and maisters of the said
calling under the failzie of forty pounds scots, to the effect none
might prejudice their neighbours of the said traid in tyme cuming.
ANENT "OUTRIGGING"
SOLDIERS.
3rd March, 1694.—The said
day it is statute and ordained that the journeymen proportionally
amongst them refund to the traid such expenses as the traid hath been at
for outrigging ane soldier for serving of his Majesties in this present
joyntur, and that no freeman give their mark until they pay in their
proportions, and whatsomever freeman receives them sail pay to the
journeyman he gives wark to, and thereupon required act and instrument.
ANENT VISITORS AT THE
MARKET.
5th December, 1690.—The
said day the haill court ordains two of the masters, by course, to wait
upon the cross weekly for tryall of the insufficient work, and this to
continue in all tyme cuming, the two visitours going their course with
them.
ANENT INSOLENT SERVANTS.
4th September, 1705.—The
said day, the traid considering that, by the indulgence of some of their
members towards their servants, the saidis servants were become
insolent, therefore, and for redress whereof they statute and ordain
that no muster give of what shall come with any web or at werping
thereof, but ane proportion pairt with the rest of his servants, and as
the said shall think fit and convenient, declaring that hereafter all
servants whatsomever within said trade shall have no pairt, portion, or
concern with any gratuities given to the maister by customers but what
allenarly the maister shall give out of goodwill and kindness, and not
as ane obligation on him; and ordains the deacon and maisters for the
tyme to take tryall hereanent in tyme cuming and punish the
transgressors as they shall find reason.
ANENT RAISERS OF TROUBLE.
4th September, 1705.—The
said day the court having taken to their serious consideration the great
abuses that arises among the members of the said incorporation to the
traid's ruin both as to public and privat, and for several other weighty
reasons doe therefore unanimously statute, enact, and ordain that any
master who shall hereafter make any abuse either in courts, meetings, or
without ye samen, the then deacon shall extrude and put out among them
such members and fyne and amerciat them conform to the merit of their
transgression ; and that the transgressor shall not be called to the
courts or meetings of the said traid, nor have any concern therein or
with any member thereof ; certifying every member of the said traid if
they be found corresponding with the said transgressors any manner of
way untill he shall happen to be again received he shall be amerciat in
the sum of fourtie shillings, toties quoties, and be holden and repute
as ane fomenter cf trouble and division.
Judging from the number
of acts passed in regard to insufficiency and delay in the execution of
work, the weavers in olden times seem to have been somewhat independent
of their customers. The following is a sample of minute which occurs
very frequently, binding them to execute orders. The wife in every case
is the complainer, she doubtless having the wool to prepare :-
Upon the 16th day of
October, 1637, compearit Alexander Still and obliged himself to work to
Alexander Findlater's wyff three pair of fingerin plaids betwixt this
and the seventeenth day of September, and in the case of failzie of the
said day sail pay six prices, whilk is ten pounds, of his awin consent
thereto for ilk plaid thereof and thereon made act which is subscribed
by my hand.
"To mak and perfect ane
sufficient essay within fourty days," or to "mak ane holland wob," was
the common form of essay prescribed to applicants for admission into the
Weaver Trade. At one time the weavers were very numerous in the city,
and their society was the most influential of all the crafts, but the
sound of the hand loom has almost entirely ceased, and there are now few
practical weavers alive. The rules of admission to the incorporation
have in consequence been relaxed; but still an applicant must show that
he is engaged in business connected with the sale and manufacture of
woven goods.
The first property
purchased by the Weavers was the Angell Croft, in 1695. The other
properties belonging to this Trade are land at Borrowstown, Parish of
Newhills ; Whitemyres, part of the fourth lot of the lands of
Shetocksley ; lands of Pitmuckston; and feus at Craibstone Rig, Gordon
Street, Wellcroft, Denburn, and Green.
In addition to a panel
containing the arms of the Trade and the following lines and acrostic,
there are also hanging in the West Committee Room adjoining the hall two
shields with the arms and mantlings boldly carved and coloured :(see
opposite page 292.)
As the Weavers' shuttle
passeth in its place,
So help us Lord to spend our days in grace,
That so our hearts may still united be
To Jesus Christ and all Eternity.
When all the arts, crafts,
callings, and vocations,
Even in the world, are censured in their stations,
Advyse & view; think weill then altogither,
With seriusnes then with your scuffs consider;
Ere our industrius works, beyond all Arts,
Respected are, most gainfull in all parts
Surely therwith are prince and people clad
Yea, birth day, baptisme, wedlock, buriall-bed
Of monarchs, princes, Kings and Emperors,
Ther glorious ensigns, all are works of ours
And that most blessed body of our Lord,
In lyfe and death was with our works decor'd.
Then, the Weavers' Art, it is renouned so,
That rich nor poor without it can not go. |
