Merchant Company of Edinburgh
Encyclopedia
The Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh, also known as the Merchant Company of Edinburgh or just the Merchant Company, is a livery company
of the City of Edinburgh
, originally founded in order to protect trading rights in the City of Edinburgh, which also carries out a significant amount of charitable and educational work.
has a long history as a trading city. Prior to the Reformation
there was a Guild
of Merchants in the city. However, there was a great rivalry between the Merchants and the craftsmen of the city, the latter forming the Incorporated Trades in the early 16th century. The Merchants - as many guilds in cities of the time - came to have a significant say in the running of the city. The Trades wanted to share in this power, and "constant bickering" ensued between them and the Merchants, who were unwilling to relinquish any.
In 1583, James IV
issued a decree sharing places on the town council between the Merchants and the Trades, but giving one more seat to the Merchants. By the late 1670s, the Merchants wished to consolidate their position and petitioned Charles II
. In 1681, the King responded by granting a Charter creating the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, which was ratified by the Parliament of Scotland in 1693. A further Royal Charter in 1777 amended provisions for the regulation of the Company's affairs, and it was reincorporated by the Edinburgh Merchant Company Act of 1898.
The Merchant Company was founded in order to protect trading rights in the City of Edinburgh. In keeping with its Guild origins, as its members shared many common interests, it took an interest in the running of the city, covering such fields as taxation, postal services and the city's water supply.
The Company was also involved in educational and charitable work. As it grew in importance and repute, charitable trusts were often left to the Company to be administered. In this way the Company came to operate several hospital school
s: the Merchant Maiden Hospital (now the Mary Erskine School), George Watson's Hospital (now George Watson's College
), Daniel Stewart's Hospital (now part of Stewart's Melville College
) and James Gillespie’s Hospital and Free School (now James Gillespie's High School
, handed over to management of Edinburgh School Board in 1908).
The Company's trade monopoly was ended - along with those of other guilds - in 1849 by the Trading Within Burghs Act. Nevertheless the Company continued to play an active role in issues affecting the city, and it flourished.
At the same time, the hospital school system was falling into disrepute. A Royal Commission had been established to consider the provision of education for the masses; its report changed the rules pertaining to educational trusts. The Company wished to consolidate and preserve its position, and took advantage of this; in fairly short order, the hospitals were transitioned to be principally day school
s in 1870.
under Scottish law.
The Company's coat of arms
, granted in 1693, comprises elements reflecting the importance of world-wide trade, the Royal Charter status the Company holds, and its origins as a merchants' guild.
The Company's motto is Terraque Marique — "by land and by sea".
Livery Company
The Livery Companies are 108 trade associations in the City of London, almost all of which are known as the "Worshipful Company of" the relevant trade, craft or profession. The medieval Companies originally developed as guilds and were responsible for the regulation of their trades, controlling,...
of the City of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, originally founded in order to protect trading rights in the City of Edinburgh, which also carries out a significant amount of charitable and educational work.
Early days
EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
has a long history as a trading city. Prior to the Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
there was a Guild
Guild
A guild is an association of craftsmen in a particular trade. The earliest types of guild were formed as confraternities of workers. They were organized in a manner something between a trade union, a cartel, and a secret society...
of Merchants in the city. However, there was a great rivalry between the Merchants and the craftsmen of the city, the latter forming the Incorporated Trades in the early 16th century. The Merchants - as many guilds in cities of the time - came to have a significant say in the running of the city. The Trades wanted to share in this power, and "constant bickering" ensued between them and the Merchants, who were unwilling to relinquish any.
In 1583, James IV
James IV of Scotland
James IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
issued a decree sharing places on the town council between the Merchants and the Trades, but giving one more seat to the Merchants. By the late 1670s, the Merchants wished to consolidate their position and petitioned Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
. In 1681, the King responded by granting a Charter creating the Merchant Company of Edinburgh, which was ratified by the Parliament of Scotland in 1693. A further Royal Charter in 1777 amended provisions for the regulation of the Company's affairs, and it was reincorporated by the Edinburgh Merchant Company Act of 1898.
The Merchant Company was founded in order to protect trading rights in the City of Edinburgh. In keeping with its Guild origins, as its members shared many common interests, it took an interest in the running of the city, covering such fields as taxation, postal services and the city's water supply.
The Company was also involved in educational and charitable work. As it grew in importance and repute, charitable trusts were often left to the Company to be administered. In this way the Company came to operate several hospital school
Hospital school
A hospital school is a school operated in a hospital, generally a children's hospital which provides instruction to all primary and secondary grade levels. These schools help children regain academic progress during periods of hospitalization or rehabilitation...
s: the Merchant Maiden Hospital (now the Mary Erskine School), George Watson's Hospital (now George Watson's College
George Watson's College
George Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
), Daniel Stewart's Hospital (now part of Stewart's Melville College
Stewart's Melville College
Stewart's Melville College is an all boys boarding and day private school situated in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland...
) and James Gillespie’s Hospital and Free School (now James Gillespie's High School
James Gillespie's High School
James Gillespie's High School is a state secondary school in Marchmont, Edinburgh. The school is a comprehensive High School, educating pupils aged 11 to 18 years of age. It has recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, and its campus consists of primarily 1960s buildings alongside the 16th...
, handed over to management of Edinburgh School Board in 1908).
Reform
The 19th Century was a time of significant changes for the Merchant Company.The Company's trade monopoly was ended - along with those of other guilds - in 1849 by the Trading Within Burghs Act. Nevertheless the Company continued to play an active role in issues affecting the city, and it flourished.
At the same time, the hospital school system was falling into disrepute. A Royal Commission had been established to consider the provision of education for the masses; its report changed the rules pertaining to educational trusts. The Company wished to consolidate and preserve its position, and took advantage of this; in fairly short order, the hospitals were transitioned to be principally day school
Day school
A day school—as opposed to a boarding school—is an institution where children are given educational instruction during the day and after which children/teens return to their homes...
s in 1870.
Today
The Company operates as a modern business forum, whilst retaining some of its ancient traditions and privileges. It holds social and networking events and continues to manage the various charitable and educational foundations under its care. The Company's schools are operated by the Merchant Company Education Board, a registered charityCharitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
under Scottish law.
The Company's coat of arms
Coat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
, granted in 1693, comprises elements reflecting the importance of world-wide trade, the Royal Charter status the Company holds, and its origins as a merchants' guild.
The Company's motto is Terraque Marique — "by land and by sea".
Membership
Membership of the Merchant Company is open to those who carry on any of a range of businesses, trades and professions. New members are required to be elected by the Master's Court. Members must reside or carry on their business or trade either in Edinburgh or within 20 miles of General Register House in Edinburgh.External links
- The Merchant Company of Edinburgh
- George Watson's CollegeGeorge Watson's CollegeGeorge Watson's College, known informally as Watson's, is a co-educational independent day school in Scotland, situated on Colinton Road, in the Merchiston area of Edinburgh. It was first established as a hospital school in 1741, became a day school in 1871 and was merged with its sister school...
(formerly George Watson's Hospital) - Mary Erskine School (formerly the Merchant Maiden Hospital)
- Stewart's Melville CollegeStewart's Melville CollegeStewart's Melville College is an all boys boarding and day private school situated in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland...
(incorporating Daniel Stewart's Hospital) - James Gillespie's High SchoolJames Gillespie's High SchoolJames Gillespie's High School is a state secondary school in Marchmont, Edinburgh. The school is a comprehensive High School, educating pupils aged 11 to 18 years of age. It has recently celebrated its 200th anniversary, and its campus consists of primarily 1960s buildings alongside the 16th...
(formerly James Gillespie’s Hospital and Free School)