Scottish burghs during the Cromwellian occupation, 1651-1660
Abstract
This thesis examines the impact of the occupation of Scotland by the English army in 1650
and 1651, and the subsequent political union that lasted from 1652 until the Restoration in
1660. It concentrates on smaller burghs, which were treated differently by the English
authorities than the major burghs of Edinburgh and Glasgow, which were of more strategic
importance. From the earliest times of the occupation the Scottish burgh officials followed
a practical policy of co-operation with the English authorities, in order to protect their own
burgh's welfare, and to retain the burghs' traditional rights and privileges under the new
regime, thus, safeguarding the integrity of Scottish urban government. There was little
change in the personnel in the burgh councils during the 1650s and this provided continuity
in urban government from the previous Covenanting regime of the 1640s, and continued
into the 1660s. This continuing link helped to minimise the disruption the English
occupation brought to Scotland, and the traditional civic leaders' experience helped the
burghs deal more effectively with the problems the occupation brought. These included
increased financial demands by the English authorities, and the financial and social
problems of quartering English soldiers, the main burden of which fell on the towns. All
these brought increased poverty to an already impoverished country and increased the
workload on the burgh officials. The burgh councils' effective management of these
problems, and their willingness to co-operate, helped to build a good relationship with the
English authorities, both at local and national levels. This was important as they found
themselves distanced from the centre of political influence, which had shifted to London.
The loyalty of the burghs to the English regime was based on practicality and self-interest,
and they welcomed the return of the monarchy in 1660. The existence of an experienced
urban leadership was important to the overall stability of the English regime, as their
control of urban affairs reduced disorder in the towns and increased the effectiveness of
quartering and collection of tax. In return for co-operation the English authorities proved
unwilling to interfere in the internal working of the burghs. The retention of the traditional
burgh structures and leaders resulted in normality returning quickly to the towns, despite
the continued disruptive presence of the army. The 1650s also saw attempts by the civic
leaders to tighten their control over the internal working of the burghs, as normal burgh life
had become disrupted in the years of war and occupation, particularly in the areas of trade
and justice.