Dean of Guild Court, 1950

Category

Library Item

Item no

40936

Title

Dean of Guild Court, 1950

Artist / maker

Inglis, Francis Caird

Date

1950

Size

18.4 x 28.9 cm

Type

Photograph

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

A Dean of Guild was one of a group of magistrates and the leader of the group was known as Lord Dean of Guild. Originally, the post was held by the head of the Guild brethren of each Scottish town, and dates back to the 12th century. From the 14th century the Dean of Guild Courts settled trade disputes, such as those relating to weights and measures or people trading in the city without the appropriate certificate. The records of Edinburgh's Dean of Guild Court, which start in the 15th century, show that it started to be involved in building control after 1674.

The City Archives in City Chambers hold petitions submitted to the Dean of Guild Court for approval, which usually include architectural drawings of the proposed building, or changes to existing buildings, although this was not a legal obligation until the second half of the 19th century. These drawings provide evidence of how buildings in Edinburgh looked originally and how their interior and exterior design has changed. The Dean of Guild Courts continued to regulate building standards until they were abolished in 1975.

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Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Arches

Clothing and dress > Garments > Suits

Clothing and dress > Garments > Uniforms

Government > Local > City and town halls

People > Adults > Groups

People > Adults > Men

Places > Edinburgh areas > Royal Mile

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

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