High Constables of Edinburgh

The High Constables of Edinburgh are a prestigious body of constables, founded in 1611 and located in Edinburgh, Scotland. Historically, the High Constables were charged with guarding the streets of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, however today their duties are mostly ceremonial. Historically they formed part of the now defunct Corporation of the City of Edinburgh. Not to be confused with High Constables of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The High Constables of Edinburgh were founded by an Act of Parliament under James VI.

Within Scotland the Lord High Constable was an officer of the Royal Household since at least c.1114. The officeholder deputised for the King of Scotland on military matters, and held a court - The High Court of Constabulary - in which the office holder was empowered to judge all cases of rioting, disorder, bloodshed and murder if such crimes occurred within four miles of the King, the King's Council, or the Parliament of Scotland. Other Constables were appointed with jurisdiction over various castles across the country. However, the lower level English Constables with jurisdiction over hundreds, villages and townships had not been introduced to Scotland; due to the nature of the Scottish landscape, order was maintained by Clan Chiefs and Feudal Lords. Constables had provided a civil guard in areas of England since 1285, when King Edward I of England passed the Statute of Winchester, with provisions which "constituted two constables in every hundred to prevent defaults in towns and highways", and by the 1600s, within local areas, a constable could be attested by two or more Justices of the Peace. After the union of the crowns in 1603 James VI of Scotland ascended to the throne of England. This resulted in a great cultural exchange, and the renewed fortunes of the City of Edinburgh as a trade centre with the Merchant Company of Edinburgh and the Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh. By 1611 with increased trade and occasional political disorder, The Kings Privy Council saw it necessary to implement a corps of guards, and “command[ed] the magistrates of Edinburgh to appoint some persons to guard their streets and to commit to ward all person found on the streets after the said hour (ten hours bell). If in the taking of them any inconvenient sal happen it is declared that the same shall not be imputed as a crime to the captors but as good and acceptable service”. Following many meetings of Edinburgh council, a number of constables were appointed - Half were merchants and half were craftsmen, and were charged with enforcing 16 regulations, relating to curfews, weapons and thefts.

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