BURGESS, an inhabitant of a borough, or walled town, or one who possesses a tenement therein. The word is also applied to the magistrates of some towns; as the bailiffs and burgesses of Leominster.
Anciently, burgesses were held in great contempt; being reputed servile, base, and unfit for war; so that the gentry were not allowed to intermarry in their families, or fight with them; but in lieu thereof, were to appoint champions. A burgess's son was reputed of age, when he could distinctly count money, measure cloth, &c.