Patricia Burgesses were trades representatives. They were elected by the members of the trade to act on their behalf for the good of the trade. They formed the council of the trade. They had the power to make regulations, fine wrongdoers, expel them from the trade and various other punishments. They regulated the selling price for articles made, and made agreements for the purchase of the raw material in bulk which would then be sold on to the members of the trade. When an apprentice finished his time and wanted to become a journeyman, he had to make a test piece to be inspected by the burgesses, and if of good enough quality, the apprentice was admitted to the trade. Quality control was by inspection of the goods manufactured by the trade journeymen. The burgesses handled the cash flow of the trade council as well as poor relief for distressed members and their widows. Trades had "lofts" or balconies in churches where burgesses, members and families only were allowed to sit on Sundays. This is an compacted explanation Murray Nicoll