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.
Barratry, Baratry, n. Also: barr-, baratrie, [OF. baraterie: cf. Barratour,n. and later Eng. (17th c.), barratry, barretry.] Underhand dealing with respect to ecclesiastical benefices; the endeavour to obtain these by improper means.1427 Acts II. 16/1.
That na clerk … pas oute of the realme bot gif he cum to his ordinaire first … & mak faith … that he do na baratry 1497 Acta Conc. II. 88.
That he tak the sade Schir Wilyeam Dowy and put him in firmance … quhil he haf the Kingis mynd … quhat punycione salbe done to him for his sade baratry 1560 Acts II. 535/1.
That nane of oure saidis soueranis subiectis … sute or desyre … title or rycht be the said bischope of Rome or his sait … vnder the panis of barratrye 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 311.
All sic persones … quhilkis be forfaltour … for crymes committed … or barratrie … hes bene dispossessit of thair landis … . benefices [etc.] 1579 Acts III. 138/2.
That they sall remane constant in the profession of the trew religioun … and do nor procuir na thing to the preiudice thairof … vndir the pane of baratrie 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV. 154.
[His Majesty] hes restorit and reponit the said James, sumtyme archiebischop of Glasgow, aganis the sentenceis of foirfaltour and barratrie gevin contrare him 1591 Lennox Mun. 334.
Quhen the Lord of Leuenox. … came last out of Ingland, he fand his Bischooprik of Glesgw waikand be the barratrie of Bischope Beitoune 1592 Acts III. 624.
In the tyme of Mr James Boyid quha wes prouidit to the said archebischoiprik be the proces of barratrie led aganis his said predicessour
