Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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.

Litil(l) Johne. Also: Litile, Littill, -le, Lyt(t)il(l and John(ne, Jhon(e, Johanne. [Litil(l a. 3.] Little John, as the lieutenant or companion of ‘Robin Hood’ in leading folk revelry: see further Robin Hude, and Mill Mediæv. Plays 24 f. 1500 Edinb. Guild Reg. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 219.
Jacobus Dun per Willelmum Halkston litil Johne et ea ratione 1508 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 439.
That all personis … habill to ryd … sall rid with Robert Huyid and Litile Johne, quhilk was callit, in yers bipast, Abbat and Prior of Bonacord, one every Sanct Nicholas day 1518 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 176.
Writingis … till excuse him fra the office of Litiljohn, to the quhilk he was chosin for this yeir … and … the vnlaw gif ony he has incurrit for nocht excepping of the said office Ib.
That maister Francis Bothwell … is chosin to be Litiljohn for to mak sportis and jocositeis in the toun 1549 Ayr B. Ct. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 166.
Johne Campble barbour desyrit to enter to the fredome of burgesrie gratis for his lawbouris the tyme that he wes litill Johne with William Wallace … that wes Robert Hude for the tyme 1550–1 Ib. 167. 1562 Edinb. B. Rec. III. 134.
It is statute and commandit that na Robene Hudis nor Litil Jhoneis suld be chosin within oure realme