South Ayrshire Council - Ayr: 800 Years of a Royal Burgh

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Ayr has the earliest surviving founding charter of any Royal Burgh in Scotland. This exhibition highlights the development of the Burgh since its establishment in 1205 through the display of archives and artefacts preserved by South Ayrshire Council’s Museum and Library Services and Ayrshire Archives.
		The Common Seal of the Burgh A Holy lamb and the head of St John the Baptist flank a castle. The original castle likely had a similar form to the seal image. The reference to St John the Baptist refers to the patron saint of Ayr and the medieval church dedicated to him there. What is a Burgh? Burghs were planned towns that regulated their own activities and enjoyed special trading privileges. The first burghs were introduced to Scotland by David I during the 12th Century and were formally abolished in 1975
Location: Castle and Harbour The location of the Burgh is largely due to its natural harbour at the mouth of the River Ayr. The Burgh developed through the normal pattern of local medieval administration alongside its castle (founded 1197) and the sheriff appointed there. Before 1205 the settlement of Ayr was probably located along the Sandgate.
Why is it called 'Ayr'? The town was called after the river that ran beside it which is a common name for a river i.e the Aire in Gascony, Aire of Yorkshire and Aare in Switzerland. For many years the spelling was 'Air' but Council records of the 18th Century show that the introduction of the spelling 'Ayr' became popular and eventually the norm.
	The Church of St John The tower of St John is now all that remains of Ayr’s medieval parish church. The Church was central to the life of the Burgh along with the Burgh Council.
	Charters and their Privileges The rights granted through royal charters brought prosperity to the town and its inhabitants. The original charter granted the right to hold markets and for foreign trade through the harbour. The King Alexander II charter of 1236 granted fishing rights on the Ayr and Doon rivers to pay for the upkeep of the harbour and bridge. Furthermore, in 1261 the King granted the right to hold a 15-day long fair to be held in midsummer following the feast of St John. Privileges granted benefited citizens but also increased the power of the king over his subjects in the surrounding shire.
The Office of Sheriff The creation of the sheriffdom at Ayr signified the consolidation of royal authority. The first recorded sheriff was Reginald de Craufurd of Loudoun who was the King’s representative in Ayrshire and governor of the royal castle. The sheriff had responsibility for justice, tax collection, and military service and also served as factor for the royal estates. As the king’s representative, the sheriff was a central figure in the early administration of the Burgh appointing burgesses, known as bailies, to carry out administrative tasks. By various royal grants, the Burgh attained greater independence with Burgh Council and Provost in evidence by 1471.

South Ayrshire Council, County Buildings, Wellington Square, Ayr KA7 1DR.
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