A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Hand-bell, n. [e.m.E. (c 1500), and OE. handbelle.] A handbell, (that carried by the town bellman).1494 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 53.
The aldirman [etc.] … gathreit be the premunicioun of the hand bell 1526 Cart. S. Nich. Aberd. 155.
Our collectour … sall caus the hand bell of the said tovn to pas ȝeirlie in the vigill of the said obit throu the tovn 1549 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 146.
The hand bell to pas through the toun and warne … the nighbouris … that sic ane land wes to be sett in few 1561 Inverness Rec. I. 63.
William Anderson hes gottin the hand bell … , and alse salbe dale damster of curt 1600 Elgin Rec. II. 84.
That … the actis maid anent the … watche … be proclamit be sound of the hand bell c1650 Spalding II. 227.
The hand bell sould go and proclame throw the toun who wes deid 1676 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 295.
The counsell, … electis George Thomsone … keeper of the handbell … for payment of thrittie punds money yeirlieattrib. 1681 S. Leith Rec. 138.
Thomas Neilson, hand bellman
