For a modest rent, the holders of these burgages, the burgesses, became free men, and were released from any feudal services to an overlord. |
Although it gave no additional powers, it did change the title of inhabitants from burgesses to citizens. |
It appears that the burgesses as a group were responsible for payment of the Domesday custom and for later tallages and aids. |
There were 276 burgesses in 1086 under the direct lordship of the king, and about 450 households in all within the borough's boundaries. |
More numerous than the gentry-become-townsmen were the burgesses who fraternised with the gentry. |
This created a form of town council, made up of aldermen and chief burgesses, headed by a high bailiff. |