1. History
1.1. Introduction
The term town denotes a settlement with either a town charter or a large population and compact development (on the problem of defining a town, see [21]; see also Rural society 1.). A town charter gave the corporation and its citizens legal and economic privileges (especially civic rights; market rights; staple rights; the right to hold a trade fair) and allowed the citizens to participate directly or indirectly in local political decisions (Council [administrative]; Mayor). In some case…