A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Douzeperis, n. pl. Also: -peir(i)s, -pers, dowzeperis, dowsypeiris; dowchsperys, (sing.) douchspere, ducheperis, dutchpeeres; duk-peris, douxpeers. [ME. dousepers, duzeper (c 1275), also duchepers, etc., OF. douze pers.] The twelve peers of Charlemagne.1375 Barb. iii. 440.
How the duk peris [H. dutchpeeres] wer Assegit in-till Egrymor c1420 Wynt. v. 4350.
How he held in till hys yherys Hys Tabyll Rownd wyth hys Dowchsperys [C. Ducheperis] ?1438 Alex. ii. 233.
Cum furth, my Douzeperis and my barounis Ib. 279; etc.
Qvhan that the King had tald his tale, It lykit all the douzepers hale a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1334.
Erll, duke and douch-spere, Baith banrent and bachilere 1533 Boece x. i. 345 b.
The princis of Fraunce (vulgarlie namyt the dowze peris) a1568 Scott ii. 12.
Doutles wes nocht so duchty deidis Amangis the dowsy peiris 1626 Garden Worthies 60.
Amidst there throngs … liveless lying, As if entrinshed with there doux-peers dying
