Lanark (Parliament of Scotland constituency) facts for kids
Lanark was once a special town in Scotland called a royal burgh. This meant it had special rights given by the king or queen, often related to trade. Lanark used to send one person, called a commissioner, to speak for it in the old Parliament of Scotland. It also sent a commissioner to the Convention of Estates, which was another important meeting in Scotland.
After 1707, something big happened: the Acts of Union 1707 were passed. These laws joined Scotland and England to create the Kingdom of Great Britain. Because of this, Lanark joined with other towns like Linlithgow, Peebles, and Selkirk. Together, they formed a group called the Lanark district of burghs. This group of towns then sent just one person to represent them all in the new British government, called the House of Commons of Great Britain.
Who Represented Lanark?
Before 1707, different people served as commissioners for Lanark in the Scottish Parliament. These people were chosen to speak for the town and its citizens. Here are some of the individuals who held this important role:
- 1661–1663, 1665, 1667, 1669–1674: Patrick Bissett, who was a bailie (a type of town official).
- 1678: Thomas Stoddart.
- 1681–1682: William Wilkie, who was a commissar and also a bailie.
- 1685: James Weir, a merchant.
- 1686: James Hair.
- 1689–1702: Thomas Hamilton, another bailie.
- 1702–1707: William Carmichaell, an advocate (a type of lawyer).
More to Explore
- List of constituencies in the Parliament of Scotland at the time of the Union
