Burgesses, freemen and strangers : the organisation of industry and trade in Southampton, 1547 to 1603
This thesis demonstrates how the town government of Southampton organised its industry and trade in the sixteenth century, with specific focus on the way in which it controlled the three groups involved: burgesses, freemen and strangers. It shows how the town council used devices, such as licences, oaths and ordinances, to regulate those who wished to trade or carry on a craft. By comparing Southampton to several other towns, Boston, Rye, Salisbury and Winchester, the often complex and diverse nature of English administrations is exposed and the individuality of urban environments is revealed. This thesis also shows how the meanings of certain commonplace terms and words could vary in different towns. This study defines each group - burgesses, freemen and strangers - as three distinct entities before revealing the close collaborations which could exist between them. The status of an individual was often determined by membership of a particular group. Burgesses were undeniably the group with the most power and highest social standing whose members were often of the mercantile crafts. Research for this thesis shows that although only burgesses had access to the higher levels of political power, non-burgesses
Fairbrother, Louise Elizabeth
Burgesses, freemen and strangers : the organisation of industry and trade in Southampton, 1547 to 1603. This thesis demonstrates how the town government of Southampton organised its industry and trade in the sixteenth century, with specific focus on the way in which it controlled the three groups involved: burgesses, freemen and strangers. It shows how the town council used devices, such as licences, oaths and ordinances, to regulate those who wished to trade or carry on a craft. By comparing Southampton to several other towns, Boston, Rye, Salisbury and Winchester, the often complex and diverse nature of English administrations is exposed and the individuality of urban environments is revealed. This thesis also shows how the meanings of certain commonplace terms and words could vary in different towns. This study defines each group - burgesses, freemen and strangers - as three distinct entities before revealing the close collaborations which could exist between them. The status of an individual was often determined by membership of a particular group. Burgesses were undeniably the group with the most power and highest social standing whose members were often of the mercantile crafts. Research for this thesis shows that although only burgesses had access to the higher levels of political power, non-burgesses
freeman stranger organisation industry_trade southampton demonstrates town government southampton organise industry_trade specific_focus way control three_group involve freeman stranger show town council use device ordinance regulate wish trade carry craft compare southampton several town boston winchester often complex diverse_nature english administration expose individuality urban_environment reveal also_show meaning certain commonplace term word could vary different town study defines group freeman stranger three_distinct entity reveal close collaboration could exist them status individual often determined membership particular_group group power high social stand whose member often mercantile craft show_although access high_level political_power non