Dictionaries of the Scots Language
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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Toun counsell, n. Also: toune-, town- and -councell, -council(l. [Toun n. and Counsele n., Council(l n.] The governing body of a town. Also attrib. Cf. Consel n. 2, Counsail n. 2 d, Counsele n. 2 b and Cunsail n. 2. c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 27.
The Lords of the Session, towncouncill advocats and clarks elected Mr. Blase Colt successor to John Ray in the Profession of Humanitie 1649 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 103.
The toune counsell … did make choise of persones to be thair magistratis and counselleris quho wer for the most pairt disaffected and incapable of trust or place be the saidis actis 1652 Peebles B. Rec. II 5.
Alexander Lauder … collector … to be comptable to the said toun counsell for thes fynes 1673 Edinb. B. Rec. X 141.
It is not in the powar of the toun councell to declare persons unfamous and uncapable of magistracie wher the lawes of the kingdome hes not irrogat the same 1681 Acts VIII 411/2.
Ratification of ane act of the town council of the burgh of Dumbartan in favors of the trades therof 1690 Acts IX 197/1.
Where there is a considerable part of the parish in landward, that the call [sc. of ministers to the burghs] shall be by the magistrats, toune counsell, kirke sessione, and the heretors of the landward parochattrib. 1646 Glasgow B. Rec. II 97.
That the act … tuching the said election … be insert … in the toune counsell buicks