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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Unreso(u)n, -resso(u)n, n. Also: unreso(u)ne, -reason, -reassone, -reasoune, -reassoun, wnresso(u)n. [ME and e.m.E. vn-resun (Cursor M.), vnresoun (14th c.), vnreson (c1400); Reso(u)n n.]

1. Unreasonableness; injustice; impropriety. Also, wrang and unreson, see Wrang n. 3 c. 1456 Hay II 25/35.
[If] hardynes and largesse suld be contrarius till it [sc. knighthood] and that war mekle unresoun c1500 Barounis Lawis 7a.
Gif he taxis it hiear the defendour may ask dome of his vnresoune and wranguis soyt

2. Abbot (of) Unresoun, a figure of misrule chosen to lead popular revels in, chiefly, pre-Reformation times. Also, the time or season of such revels. = Abbot of Unrest (Unrest n. 1 d).For further details see Murray Early B. Organ. I 186, 398.(1) 1496 Mill Mediæv. Plays 165.
[At the Whitsunday court of the lands of the Barony of Alloway] the abbat of wnresson [appears as pledge] 1496 Treas. Acc. I 270.
To Gilberte Brade, be ane precept of the kingis, for spilling of his hous in Striuiling be the Abbot of Vnresoun, x li. 1497 Treas. Acc. I 327.
Gevin to the Abbot of Vnresone, for his reward, at the kingis command, v lib. viiij s. 1501 Treas. Acc. II 111.
To the Abbot of Unresone of Linlithqw, quhen he dansit to the king … xliij s. vj d. 1504 Crim. Trials I i 121.
Item: to the Abbot of Unreasoune of the pynouris of Leith, be the Kingis command, v s. 1504 Treas. Acc. II 320.
For iij½ elne Franch tanne to Alexander Kers, cuke … quhen he wes Abbot of Unreson 1536 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 8 May.
The viij day of Maii … agreid that Jhon Ryklynton, Jhon Wolson, and George Rytchartson wes choissyn to be abbot of unreason, the quhilk thai all thre forsuk, and wes content ylk man to pay xl sh. to the kyrk maister 1539 Banks Sc. Cal. Customs II 210.
Wnressoun 1552 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 24 Dec.
The counsale with advis of the provest and baillies hes dischairgit all abbots of unressoun in tymis cumin 1555 Acts II 500/1.
That … na maner of persoun be chosin Robert Hude nor Lytill Johne, abbot of vnressoun, quenis of Maij nor vtherwyse 1558-66 Knox I 40.
The same frear maid ane uther sermoun of the Abbote [of] Unreassone, unto whome … he compared the prelattis of that age; for thei war subdewid to no lawis, no moir then was the Abbote [of] Unreassoun 1574 Inverness Rec. I 238.
Johne Robertson … of his awin fre … will to … pay to Thomas Ros and his spouse … xl s. … for expenssis maid be thame at Witsundaye … vpon the said Johne and his cumpanye as Abbot Vnresson for the tymepossess. 1503 Treas. Acc. II 374.
To the Abbot of Unresonis menstrales, iiij Franch crounis 1582 Mill Mediæv. Plays 168.
The haill personis that ar … takeris vpoun thame to ras vp or play abbott of vnressones playis or Robene Hudis(2) 1584 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 201.
To pey to William Stensoun x s. for ane vedder skyn he ressauit of his at Pasche ves tua yeir at the abbot of vnressoun