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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Privé, Privy, Previe Counsaill, n. Also: privey, privie, prevy, prewy and counsaille, -sale, -sall, -sel(l, -cell, -cil(l.. [e.m.E. privy council (c 1530), councell, privie counsaill, etc., late ME prevy counseile (c 1450), prevey counsell (c 1450), etc., ME privei consail (c 1300), OF privé conseil (1276 in Du Cange), F. conseil privé, med. L. consilium privatum (1324 in Latham).The corresp. L. is appar. only secretum consilium, the L. *consilium privatum not appar. occurring in Sc. sources.]A later name for the Secret Council (Secret adj.) of Scotland.The official body, presided over by the Chancellor, consisting of high officers of state and other magnates, which, nominally subject to Parliament, exercised judicial, legislative and executive power.(1) 1546 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 553 (see Lord n. 15 (2)).
And lordis of privey counsale 1553 Reg. Privy C. I 143. 1568–9 Ib. 644.
The haill Lordis of the Previe Counsale and utheris of the nobilitie … allowit the procedingis [etc.] 1577–8 James VI Edinb. B. Rec. IV 67.
The lordis of oure Prewy Counsale 1579 Athole Mun. I. No. 90 (see Lord n. 15 (2)).1609 Acts IV. 434/2 (see Lord n. 15 (2)). 1627 Justiciary Cases I 75.
To the lordis of his maiesteis maist honorable previe counsall 1631 Ib. 177. 1633 Linlithgow B. Rec. 22 Feb.
Befoir the lordis of privie counsall and exchaquer c1650 Spalding II 44. 1695 Conv. Burghs IV 205.(2) 1553 Reg. Privy C. I 144.
It is thocht expedient be the quenis grace, my Lord Governour, and Prive Counsel, that James Douglas … suld accept … wardanry of the West Merchis(3) 1567 Acts III 44/1.
And nane tobe hard befoir the priue counsale or sessioun without refuis of justice be the ordinar 1567 Reg. Privy C. I 512.
That … all the Lordis admittit, chosin and sworne on the Previe Counsall attend thairupoun quhen thai ar at Court 1587-99 Hume 76/273.
How ignorant … they be, Upon the priuie counsell mon be chused 1593 Acts IV 18/1.
Quhilk forme … hes moved the privie counsaill oftymes to be occupiet with that quhilk propirlie pertenit to … the lordis of counsaill and sessioun and iustice generall a1639 Spotsw. Hist. (1677) App. 34.
The king hath lodged much of his power with the Privy Council 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 216.
The Privie Councell haweing remitted the bussines to me 1687 Lauder Notices Affairs II 820. 1687 Mackenzie Observ. 90.
From … old writs, it is clear that the Privy Seal was then the Seal of the Privy Council, but now they have a Seal peculiar to themselves, which is called the Signet of the Privy Council 1688 Fountainhall Decis. I 502.
Then they applied to the Privy Council for a power to [etc.](4) 1571 Acts III 69/1.
The nobill men and vtheris vnderwrittin wer nominat tobe of oure souerane lordis prevy counsall 1587 Acts III 461/2.
That the first day of euerie moneth … salbe a speceale and peremptour for his privie counsall to convene 1617 Acts IV 535/2.
To sum of the lordis of his maiesties previe counsell a1634 Forbes Rec. 464. 1676 Conv. Burghs III 667.
Ane humble adress … to his majesties privie councill for procureing warrand for [etc.] 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii vi 1 (see President n. 4 b).