A burgher would be an important member of the local community in a mediaeval town. The word comes from "burgh", a town or city, hence Edinburgh, capital of Scotland, meaning Edwin's town or city. The burghers were members of what would today be called the town council. During the siege of Calais one of the English Kings (Edward III) threatened to hang six burghers of Calais, but his queen intervened and begged for mercy for them and they were saved.