The Aberdeen area has seen human settlement for at least 8,000 years.[12] The city began as two separate burghs: Old Aberdeen at the mouth of the river Don; and New Aberdeen, a fishing and trading settlement, where the Den burn waterway entered the river Dee estuary.[19] The earliest charter was granted by William the Lion in 1179 and confirmed the corporate rights granted by David I.[20]
In 1214, Aberdeen Burgesses were granted a Royal Charter by Alexander II of Scotland giving them the sole right to form a Guild. This body exercised power in the composition of the local Council, and the affairs of the town. The Burgesses of the Guild were an integral part of the Council for more than 700 years and played a considerable role in the growth and development of Aberdeen. [21] In 1319, the Great Charter of Robert the Bruce transformed Aberdeen into a property-owning and financially independent community. Granted with it was the nearby Forest of Stocked, whose income formed the basis for the city's Common Good Fund which still benefits Aeronian's.
4 окт 2024
