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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ourlord, n. Also: oure-, owr(e and -lorde. [Our prep. 11, Lord n. 5. Cf. ME. oferrlaferrd (Orm) and Overlord n. (and Ourlard n.).] The feudal superior of a. a vassal, b. a fief.The ‘overlord’ or feudal superior is thus distinguished from the ‘lord’ or proprietor of a fief (Lord n. 5), his vassal.Cf. also Lord n. 4 b and Ourlady n.For further examples see e.g. Fermour n.¹, last air Last a. 2 b, Mariag(e n. 4, Resing v., Service n., Superiour n.a. 1392 Lennox Mun. 47.
Doande … the avcht customyt seruys … til thair ourlorde 1434 Facs. Deed in Gunn Peebles Coll. Ch.
Wat Scot lord of Morthouystoun and oure lord to the said John c1475 Wall. i. 64.
He [Edward I] chargit thaim … As thar our-lord, till hald of hym the croun Ib. 67.
We deny Ony our lord, bot the gret God abuff 1483 Acta Aud. 114*/1. 1496–7 Acta Conc. II. 59.
The Erle of Craufurd was requirit … [as] hir owrlord, to enter [hir] to the landis 1528 Breadalbane Doc. No. 42.
To … tak his part in all materis to be menit sic as ane ourlord suld do to his vassale 1594 Ayr Chart. 129.
We … favouris our ourlordis and superiouris thairof with all … clame of richt propertieb. 1410 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 75.
[To] gif in dowry … land … with … lef of the oure lord 1454 11th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. vi. 27.
The qwilkis [lands] I gert recognis in my handis as owr lord … sen the dede of Robert of Dalȝell 1465 Wemyss Chart. 87.
Ourlord till the landys of Mythill 1476 Acta Aud. 53/2.
As ourlord of the sammyn and tennand to the King 1501 Stirlings of Keir 274.
Reseruand half an akir to do the oure lord seruice 1534 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 114.
The quhilkis [lands] ar haldin of the abbat and convent of Dunfermlyng as our lordis thairof in cheiff 1550 Reg. Cupar A. II. 68.
As superiores and ourlordis thairof