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.
Conservatour, n. Also: -ator, -itour. [ME. (c 1400) and AF.; OF. conservateur, L. conservātor.]
1. A keeper or custodian.1484 Prestwick B. Rec. 30.
The hale comite … chesit … Willi of Daile bursour & conseruator of the monie of the commoun gud for a ȝere
2. A protector or regent.c1515 Asl. MS. I. 269/1.
Efter his deid Robert the duke of Albany gouernit the realme as conseruatour chosin be the thre estatis
3. An official defender of the privileges of an institution or corporate body.1535 Stewart 45604.
The priuilege that fra the paip wes send, … To him that tyme, conseruitour to be, Comittit wes the haill auctoritie 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 16.
The conservatour of priuilege most haif autoritie to cal befor hym al actionis … movit be thayme of the vniuersitie aganis ony personis in materis twiching students Ib.
In tymes bypast the archidene, or bischeppis, war conservatouris, or sum deput for thame
4. An officer of the staple at Campvere, appointed to protect the rights of the Scottish merchants there and to settle disputes between them. Also called lord conservatour.1503 Acts II. 252/1.
It is statute … that … the conseruatour of this realme haue iurisdictioun to do justice amang the said merchandis … in tha partis beȝond sey Ib. 252/2.
That the conseruatour of Scotland cum ȝeirlie hame 1543 Reg. Privy S. III. 8/2.
Iames Henrisoun … conservatour of the privileges of the Scottis natioun in Flanderis 1570 Conv. Burghs I. 21.
The saidis commisaris ordanis letters to be rasitt … for hame bringing of the conseruitour of Flanderis 1574 Ib. 35.
The commissionaris … ordanis ane wryting to be send to thair conseruator in Flanderis, gevand him thankis for his guid seruice a1578 Pitsc. II. 315/12.
The conservitour of Flanderis tuik all his guidis and geir and escheitted the samyn 1586 Conv. Burghs I. 221.
The commissioneris hes elected … Maister George Hacquett, conseruatour for the Scotis natioun in Flanderis 1597 Acts IV. 138/1.
The conseruatour sall put the actis of parliament to executioun anent ocker and vsurie vpoun all Scottis mercheandis, skipperis and factouris within the law countreis 1606 Conv. Burghs II. 228.
That ilk skipper or his maitt sall within foure dayis efter the schippis saife arryuell … mak reporte to the said lord conseruator 1638 Baillie I. 71.
Your Conservatour has written to the king that some munition is coming to us from Campheir 1676 Conv. Burghs III. 670.
Letteres of horning to be raised at the instance of the conservator or his deputs 1690 Ib. IV. 121.
Dry burghs … payes noe pairt … of the conservators cellaryattrib. 1593 Conv. Burghs I. 409.
He … sould haue na conseruatour fie of ony vnstaipill guidis 1606 Ib. II. 228.
Giff ony persoun sall depairt … without payment of thair conservator feyis
b. A similar (proposed or unauthorized) official at other ports.1599 Conv. Burghs I. 48.
We haue thocht expedient … that ane of our awin sal be depute to mak residence at Londoun as conseruatour of our preuelegeis Ib. 61. 1602 Ib. 146.
The giftis purchest be Capetane Iames Coluill for exerceing of ane pretended office of conseruatore at the toun of Calais
