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 bailiff 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.

BURGESS is now ordinarily used for the representative of a borough-town in parliament. Burgesses are supposed to represent the mercantile part, or trading interest of the nation. They were formerly allowed, by a rate established in the reign of Edward III., two shillings a-day as wages. It is much to be regretted, that the members for boroughs bear above a quadruple proportion to those for counties. The right of election of burgesses depends on several local charters and customs: though by 2 Geo. II. c. 24, the right for the future shall be allowed according to the last determination of the house of commons concerning it: and by 3 Geo. III. c. 15, no freeman, except such as claim by birth, servitude, or marriage, shall be entitled to vote, unless he hath been admitted to his freedom twelve months before. No person is eligible as a burgess, who hath not a clear estate of £300. a-year.