John Winton "Baron Bailie of the Nungate"

[Kinkeeper]

Researching John Winton (md Janet McBean, Edinburgh 1798).  He was styled "Baron Bailie of the Nungate" in an old book "Reminiscences of Haddington".  He was a brewer in Haddington.  Does anyone know what this title might have meant in the early 1800's?

[Joyful]

Have you googled? I looked for the phrase "Baron Baillie of the Nungate" and the following

link appeared https://archive.org/stream/.../monthlychronicle05jubiuoft_djvu.txt

...of Haddington it had the honour of getting a special functionary known as "Baron Baillie of the

Nungate." The "Baron," however, like everybody else of his day...

This is taken from "The Monthly chronicle of North-country lore and ..."

I didn't look through it but it might be worthwhile

HTH

Joy

[Kinkeeper]

Thanks for your help Joy; I should have thought of that.  I've found several good references, although the link you sent would not open, even after I copied and pasted into my browser, some problem on their end.  Appreciate your reply.

[hdw]

I think "baron" was used loosely to mean a local aristocrat or other landowner (e.g. abbot) who would have a baron court  in which to try local people for various offences and the baron bailie  was his deputy who administered the court.

http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/barronbaillie

Harry