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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Justery, Justry, n. Also: justerie, justri, jwstry, -é, justiry. [Of uncertain formation: cf. the synonymous but appar. later Justicery and Justiciary n.¹, and med. L. justiciaria. Common in the 15th c., but subsequently superseded by Justiciary.]

1. a. Appar., one of the districts into which the country was divided for administration of law by the Justices (Justice n. 6–7). b. The jurisdiction of the Justice within a specified district. 14.. Acts I. 107/2.
That the bailȝe in quhais bailȝerie suilk a mysdoar duellis in sal haf commandment of the iustice [L. iusticiarii] wythin quhais iustry [L. iusticiariam] the trespas wes done that he be attachyt [etc.] 1391 Lennox Mun. II. 44.
It is acordit that the said Erle of the Leuenax salbe … depute to the said Erle of Fife of the justery of the schirefdomez of Striuelyne and Dunbertan of alsmekle as pertenis to the lordschip of the Leuenax als lang as the Erle of Fife has tha justeriez 1397 Douglas Chart. 38.
Alsua ovr lord the Kyng sall gif in fee and eritage all the profytis pertenand till our lord the Kyng of the justery of the hale schirrefdome of Forfar to the sayd Gorge 1415 (1483) (15..) Reg. Brechin I. 204.
In the … rasing of his teynd penny aucht till hymme off … eschetis or ischeis of courtis of ȝouris [the sheriff of Kincardine and his baillies] or of the justris [v.r. justiciaris] pertenand till our lord the King within ȝour balȝery 1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 181.
It is accordit that our said lord the Governour sall gife to … the Earll of Mar the halfe of the profittis of the justry of Aberdeine, Bamffe and Inuernesse … outtane the … victualis of men and horse in the halding of the said ayeris 1431 Acts II. 20/2.
Apone the mater of the Kingis liegis that … bade at ham withoutyn the Kingis leff … the iustice sal mak a ditta within thar iustris & punis thaim that ar falty

2. The office or jurisdiction of a Justice or of the Justices. = Justiciary n. 2. 1473–4 Treas. Acc. I. 66.
To the Justice Schir Dauid Guthre for his fee of the office of justry 1501 Reg. Privy S. I. 99/1.
His landis and lordschipis of Orknay and Scheitland … and officis of justry, foldry and balȝery of all the said landis and lordschipis 1503 Crim. Trials I. i. 103.
Precept maid to James Lorde Hammiltoune of the office of justry … within the boundis and ile of Arane 1526 Acts II. 315/1.
Presentlie dischargis all commissionis of justry grauntit … to quhatsumeuer personis … sa that all causis criminale quhilkis ar to be decidit before oure souerane Justice haue passage befor him and his deputis 1532 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 383.
That quha cummis in contrar herof salbe callit to particular courtis of justry apoun xv dais

b. Power of justiciary or the district within which this operates. 1503 Acts II. 241/2.
Becaus the erle of Ergile allegis that he has justry & schirefschip of heretage of Lorn & Ergile & that his justice ar thairof suld bene haldin within Ergile Ib.
That the part of Coule that is nocht within the bondis of my Erle of Ergilis justry cum to Dunbertane

3. The Justiciary as an official body. = Justice-court n. 2, Justiciary n. 3. 1489 Acta Aud. 130/1.
As wes preffit be a testimoniale of the adiurnale vnder the subscriptioune of Maister Richard Lawsoun Clerk of the Justiry 1498 Acta Conc. II. 162.
Efter the forme of ane act of the Kingis adjurnale of justry extract be the hand of the Justice Clerk 1501 Ib. III. 10.
Becaus the said Bernard was made qwyt of the reff of the sade corne in the justice are of Perth, eftir the … tenour of the Kingis Justice testimoniale under the sele of the office of justry 1515–16 Acta Conc. Public Aff. 64.
Quhen the Chancelar, the Justice, the Clerk of Covnsale and Clerk of Justry ar present in the town quhar the Kingis graice … hapnis to be

4. A justice ayre or other justice court. 1420 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV. 181.
The said Earll of Mar sall doe all his bisnes … till bring justris till the … profit of the said lord the Governour c1420 Wynt. vii. 2733.
This Alysandyr Kyng off Scotland Wes throwcht the kynryk traveland, Haldand courtys and justrys [v.rr. iustryis] Ib. viii. 3188.
In till Wygtown he gert set A jwstry, the qwhilk he held but let Ib. 3210.
Jwstre Ib. 7203.
Ilka yere a justry He gert hald

5. Justice. a. Administration of the law. b. Equity. c1475 Wall. vi. 103.
Than pray we all to the makar abow Quhilk has in hand off justry the ballance a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 90.
Cambises … Giffand affray to officeris of justry, Apon a juge he maid sic pvnising Ib. 769.
Prelatis, princis, and officeris of justry