In the late 16th century Edinburgh was the recognised capital of Scotland and as such was the home of the Scottish Parliament and the Courts of Justice. As a result, the city attracted many people of different religious and political persuasions who were constantly at odds with each other and who frequently resorted to fighting and rioting. The difficult task of maintaining law and order fell on the magistrates of the town council and on the bailies, who, in addition to their normal civic duties, had special responsibility for the various quarters or districts into which the town was divided. Extensive powers were given to them to organise burgesses to keep watch and ward over the various districts to ensure that householders and their families were generally safe and were specifically protected from “nightwalkers and vagabonds” for more click here
