A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quarter-session(e)s. [e.m.E. (1577).] A quarter-sessions, the quarterly court of the justices of the peace of a shire. —1611 Rep. Southesk MSS 14.
Being advertised … of your keeping of quarter sessions, concurring alwayes uith your fellow justices at there conveyninges 1617 Acts IV 539/1.
The saidis justices of peace als weill to burcht as land sall conveyne and be present at the quarter sessiones of the schyre 1655 Ib. VI ii 834/1. 1661 Ib. VII 308/2.
The justices of peace … shall appoint at the quarter sessions … the ordinarie hyre and wages of labourers
