A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Barratour, Baratour, n. Also: barratur, baratoure. [ME. baratour (a 1400), baratowre, baretour, etc., AF. *baratour, OF. barateor, f. barater Barate v.] One who used underhand means to obtain a benefice properly belonging to another.1427 Acts II. 16/1.
The king forbiddis that ony of his liegis sende ony expens til ony baratoure that now is outewith the realme 1485 Ib. 171/2.
Becaus thair is certane personis barratouris quhilkis of grete vntreuth … has movit plede and questioune & vexit and trublit certane personis promovit to beneficez Ib.
The said commisseris sal thairfor desire at … the paip to put silence to the said personis barraturis 1496 Acta Conc. II. 36.
David Maistertoune … as ane baratour tendis to vex the sade Maister James in his sade benefice 1497 Ib. 88.
Schir Wilyeame Dowy, chapellane. … has … past to the Court of Rome … , and thare as ane barratour … has rasit ane citacione upone Maister Jhone Stewart 1538 Reg. Privy S. II. 416/1.
The vicarage of Hassindene … now pertenyng to oure soverane lord be resoun of eschete, throw being of the said Schir Johnne declarit barratour 1551 Corr. M. Lorraine 352.
He is cumit and stollyng this benefice and tharfor declarit ane barratour in this cuntre 1561 Reg. Privy S. I. 163.
To charge all maner of personis … to desist and ceise fra all accepting of the samyn [commissionis] … with certificatioun to thame and thai failȝe, thai salbe declairit barratouris 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Barratrie.
All men passand to Rome and byeand benefices commitis simonie, and are called barratoures
