Editing Borough (section)

=====Ancient and municipal boroughs=====
{{Main|Ancient borough|Municipal borough}}
During the medieval period many towns were granted self-governance by the Crown, at which point they became referred to as boroughs. The formal status of borough came to be conferred by [[Royal Charter]]. These boroughs were generally governed by a self-selecting corporation (i.e., when a member died or resigned his replacement would be by [[co-option]]). Sometimes boroughs were governed by [[bailiffs]].

Debates on the Reform Bill (eventually the [[Reform Act 1832]]) lamented the diversity of polity of such town corporations, and a [[Royal Commission]] was set up to investigate this. This resulted in a regularisation of municipal government by the [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]]. 178 of the ancient boroughs were re-formed as ''municipal boroughs'', with all municipal corporations to be elected according to a standard franchise based on property ownership. The unreformed boroughs lapsed in borough status, or were reformed (or abolished) later. Several new municipal boroughs were formed in the new industrial cities after the bill enacted, per its provisions.

As part of a large-scale reform of local government in England and Wales [[Local Government Act 1972|in 1974]], municipal boroughs were finally abolished (having become increasingly irrelevant). However, the civic traditions of many were continued by the grant of a [[Royal Charter|charter]] to their successor district councils. As to smallest boroughs, a [[Parish councils in England|town council]] was formed for an alike zone, while [[charter trustees]] were formed for a few others. A successor body is allowed to use the regalia of the old corporation, and appoint ceremonial office holders such as sword and mace bearers as provided in their original charters. The council, or trustees, may apply for an [[Order in Council]] or [[Contract law in England|Royal Licence]] to use the [[coat of arms]].