Edinburgh Town Guard armoury

Image: © kim traynor Taken: 5 Nov 2010

Flintlock muskets and Lochaber axes on display at the Huntly House Museum in the Royal Mile. The Town Guard fell temporarily under royal control in the 1680s when Charles II's brother and successor, James, Duke of York, was in charge of Scotland. House searches for Covenanter conventicles were commonplace and several street riots occurred. "13 Maij 1682.—The Toune of Edinburgh, because of the late uproar among them, of the 3d of May last*, are ordained by the Privy Counsell to levy and pay a company of 108 men, to serve for the Toune's constant guard on all emergencies, and the Duke to name the Captain and other officers. This was a clear breach of the Liberties of the Toun; yet the Magistrats ware prevailed with, as to send up a petition to his Majesty, craving he would allow the same; which he did. So it was raised; and by ane Act of the Toun Counsell in September last, the inhabitants are stented** to pay them. some a groat, some 5 pence, and the hiest at 6 pence a week, for paying them. Patrick Grahame, Inchbraikie's sone, is captain of this Toun-watch, and so hes more power of the toun then the Provost has. (...) Ther is no use now for the Toune's Trained Bands, or militia captains and companies, tho they be still keeped up. The Duke would give a vast summe to have such a breach in London's walls; for it is, upon the matter, a surrender of ther militia over to him. The Trades of Edinburgh are exceedingly discontented with this concession of their Magistrats." -- Sir John Lauder of Fountainhall, Historical Notices of Scottish Affairs, 1661-1688 *a riot involving trade apprentices and "the King's forces"; **assessed Image

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