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Burgomaster

Archaic term for a mayor / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Burgomaster (alternatively spelled burgermeister, literally "master of the town, master of the borough, master of the fortress, master of the citizens") is the English form of various terms in or derived from Germanic languages for the chief magistrate or executive of a city or town. The name in English was derived from the Dutch burgemeester.

%27The_Burgomaster%27s_Family%27%2C_Dutch_oil_on_canvas_painting%2C_c._1640%2C_Honolulu_Academy_of_Arts.jpg
The Burgomaster's Family, possibly painted by Gerard Donck c. 1640
Manneken_Pis_en_costume_des_Lignages_de_Bruxelles.jpg
Manneken Pis dressed as a burgomaster from the Seven Noble Houses of Brussels.

In some cases, Burgomaster was the title of the head of state and head of government of a sovereign (or partially or de facto sovereign) city-state, sometimes combined with other titles, such as Hamburg's First Mayor and President of the Senate). Contemporary titles are commonly translated into English as mayor.