PARLIAMENTARY BURGHS Meaning and
Definition
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Parliamentary burghs, also known as parliamentary boroughs or parliamentary towns, refer to specific urban areas in Scotland that had the privilege of electing a Member of Parliament (MP) to represent them in the Parliament of Scotland. This term originated during the medieval period and continued until the Act of Union in 1707, which dissolved the Scottish Parliament and merged it with the Parliament of England to form the Parliament of Great Britain.
Parliamentary burghs were distinct from other types of burghs, such as royal burghs or burghs of barony, as they held the special right to send a representative to the Scottish Parliament. These burghs were political entities with unique legal and administrative powers granted by royal charters. The number of parliamentary burghs varied over time, with some being added or removed based on political circumstances or changes in population and economic importance.
The purpose of having parliamentary burghs was to ensure that urban centers had a voice in the Scottish Parliament. The elected MPs would present the concerns and interests of their respective burghs, advocating for specific policies or legislation that would benefit their constituents. The selection of MPs was generally done through a process involving eligible voters within the burgh choosing a representative.
Overall, parliamentary burghs played a crucial role in the political landscape of Scotland by giving urban communities the opportunity to actively participate in the legislative process and have their views represented at the highest level of governance.
Etymology of PARLIAMENTARY BURGHS
The term "parliamentary burghs" originates from Scotland, where it refers to a category of burghs or towns that were entitled to representation in the Parliament of Scotland.
The etymology of the term "burgh" itself can be traced back to the Old English word "burh" or "buruh", which means a fortified place or a town. It is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "burgs", meaning fortress or stronghold. This term was brought to Scotland by early Germanic-speaking settlers.
The term "parliamentary" refers to the Scottish Parliament, which, prior to the Act of Union in 1707, was a separate legislative body from the Parliament of England. The Scottish Parliament was composed of three estates – the clergy, the nobility, and the burghs. The parliamentary burghs represented the interests of the towns in the Scottish Parliament.
