This is the last of the monthly posers until September this year. This is also posted, as usual, on our own HHS Facebook page and also Old Haddingtonshire FB page where you can read other contributors’ answers or comments.
Question
This is a difficult one. Look closely at this painting (dated 1708) by Thomas Warrender in the collection of the National Gallery of Scotland. What connection can you see with Haddington? And for bonus marks, what perks might he have enjoyed as a result of this?
Answer
This trempe l’oiel (trick the eye) painting of a letter rack contains a Haddington Burgess Ticket made out to Thomas Warrender, the painter of this image. If he was a burgess ‘of right’ -through descent or marriage, resident in the town and paying stent (local tax) – he would have the right to trade with lower dues on goods brought into the town and pay half the duty in markets. He would also be entitled to vote in local elections and serve as an office bearer if elected.
However, Warrender may have been an honorary burgess. Honorary burgesses were people of distinction who may have served the town in some way. Usually they were not entitled to vote but council elections in Haddington and elsewhere were notoriously corrupt. Supporters were plied with alcohol and opponents abducted. See Claret, Councillors and Corruption: The Haddington Election of 1723 in Transactions of the ELAFS Vol XXXI 2017 available online.
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