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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Roy, Roye, n. Also: rowy; roj(e. [ME and e.m.E. roy (?a1400), OF roi, roy (c1160 and 13th c. in Larousse) = ONF rei, L. rex, reg- a king. Cf. Ray n.²] A sovereign; a prince; a king.(1) c1450-2 Howlat 368 (A).
He bure a lyon … Riche rampand as roye ryke of array Ib. 443.
The roye Robert the Brus 1460 Hay Alex. (S.T.S.) 2581.
Thair war nane ilis inhabit … Bot with gyantis, nor was na prince nor roy a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 225.
The roy with his Round Tabill, richest of ryne c1475 Wall. i 120.
Eduuarde self was callit a roy full ryk a1499 Contempl. Sinn. 1418 (Asl.).
King Dauid … Ryngand as roy in gret regalite c1500-c1512 Dunb. (O.U.P.) 136/34.
The Bruce … Thow gart as roy cum rydand under croun 1530 Lynd. Test. Pap. 437.
James the secunde, roye of gret renoun a1568 Bellenden Bann. MS 1a/11.
Quhen the greit Octauian Baith erd and seis had had in govirnance With diademe as roy cesarian 1540 Lynd. Sat. 16.
Frome ane nobill and richt redowttit roy 1549 Compl. 63/32.
The ryng of the roy Robert 15.. Clar. iii 1694.
That he micht of this regioun ring as roy 1567 Sat. P. iii 78.
O Stewartis stout, … War ȝe not royis in this regioun 1619 Garden Elphinstoun 1066.
The Gallick roy … louinglie imbraces Th' imbassadours(2) a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 301.
The roy rial raid withoutin resting c1475 Wall. ix 356. 1554 Duncan Laideus Test. 154.
That royall roy, of cheualrie the floure a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. 446/57.
O royell roy thi realme ay rewile be rycht(b) c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 88b/2.
Precellend prince havand prerogatyue As rowy royall in this regioun to ring

Applied to b. Christ. c. The regent of Scotland.b. 15.. Dunb. App. viii 3.
Jesus … In thé is rissin as rychtous roy 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1573 (Ch.).
The redoutit Roy, The Prince of peace Arundel MS 261/60.
& me convoy Quhair that thou rignis, o ryall royc. 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 334.
At ten houris the haill rojes armie past of Edinburgh to Leith

d. An absolute ruler; a tyrant. c1630 Scot Narr. 162.
The bishop in his owne city … will think himselfe a pettie roy