A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Sergeandry, Serjandrie, n. Also: sergandrie, seriandry, -ie, serjiandre. [Late ME and e.m.E. seriauntrye (c1400), sergawntry (Lydgate), seryauntre (Caxton), OF serjanterie (13th c. in Greimas); Serg(e)and n.]
1. A form of feudal tenure dependent upon rendering a personal service to the king.c1575 Balfour Pract. 227.
Concerning landis and heritage that ar haldin of the king in cheif, and fallin in his handis be ressoun of ward, serjandrie, or patronage, that the king may bruik … the samin landis and that the airis nor na uther persounis may … tak possessioun of the samin untill thay have recoverit thame lauchfullie out of the kingis handis
2. The office of a sergeant in sense 3 of Serg(e)and n.1459–60 Newburgh B. Ct. fol. 1b.
Thai dyde nocht [blank] offis of seriandry at thai suld haf done 1501 Exch. R. XI 301*.
Et de x s. de Gilmortoun, de castriwardis superioris partis sergandrie de Edinburgh 1550–1 Dundee B. Ct. II fol. 44 (8 March).
Vat Car … hes deponit that he sall execut the office of sergeandry lelelie & trewlie ay & quhill he be dischargit 1553 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 12 Oct.
Gif thai schaw not the faltis quhair it is, to expell thaim fra thair office of serjandrie 1553–4 Edinb. B. Rec. II 190.
[The] baillies of this burgh hes wranguslie … intrusit the said Dauid Wyndiyeittis in possessioun of seriandrie and place of the said vmquhile Johne 1608–9 Misc. Spald. C. V 85.
Paitt to ane boy that passit with the bellman … to varne … sic as vald giff thair suittis for the office of serjiandre the yeir to cum, 1 s. 4 d. 1619 Reg. Deeds in Douglas of Morton (App. A) 703.
[The tack made … of the 20 s. land of Thornehill … together with the office of] serjandrie and officearie [of the said lands and barony of Mortoun] 1665 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 218.
b. Serjandrie of airmes, the office of sergeant-at-arms.1641 Acts V 513/1.
The office of meassarie and serjandrie of armes
