A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Usurpatio(u)n, -acio(u)n, n. Also: -atioune, usurp-, wsurpacioune. [ME and e.m.E. usurpacion (1387-8), vsurpacioun (Lydgate), usurpation (1578), OF usurpacion, L. ūsūrpātiōn-.] Unlawful encroachment aganis, of or upon a person, etc., attempted overthrow of his authority or privileges. Also without construction. b. = Purprestur(e n. c. specif. The Cromwellian seizure of power in Scotland during the Commonwealth.1478 Acts II 115/2.
Alexander Raite clerk summond … for the tresonable vsurpacioun vppon his hienes in the pretendit legitimacion of James Egir bastard in the name … of the Empreour 1489 Irving Dumbartonsh. I 19.
The grete tressoun and usurpatioun made agains us … be Wilyame Erle Marchall [etc.] … in the making of certane ligs and bands at owr castell of Dumbertane 1490 Irland Mir. I 79/22.
The angell tholis nocht that we cum thare [sc. Garden of Eden] for the wsurpacioune of oure progenitouris of the hie and nobile science of God 1490 Irland Mir. I 121/15.
Thai schew … the gret power of Sathane, [etc.] … and … the gret … vsurpacioune that thai maid apone … man, best and eliment 1549 Lamb Resonyng 113/13.
[King] Edward wald haue concurrit to with ony of the thre compitetaris … quhomwith he had likit best for vsurpatioun of Scotland 1568–9 Reg. Privy S. VI 108/1.
For airt and pairt of the usurpatioun of oure soverane lordis auctoritie upoun him in assegeing of the castell and hous of Wauchtoun 1573 Aberd. B. Rec. II 10.
The usurpatioune of the preuilegeis of the burght 1604 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 116.
Being accusit for usurpatioun of the kingis auctoritie in halding of ogangis and perambulatiounis upoun the twelff merk land kingis land in Stromfirthe c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 61.
To returne to the puritie of the reformed religion of the kirk of Scotland as it had bene established before the episcopall usurpation 1690 Shields Grievances and Sufferings 40.
Our sufferings for declining the yoke of … Popish usurpation are before hinted and generally knownb. 1480 Acta Conc. I 74/2.
The vsurpacion and purprisioun done in the takin vp of the malis of the samyn 1485–6 Newbattle Coll. (Somerville) (Reg. H.).
That … thai … desyst & cesse of al occupacione & laboring … of the saide lande … vnder payn & danger of purprisione & vsurpacion to be maid aganis me ourelorde & superior forsaide 1622-6 Bisset I 311/2.
I will proceid aganist him with assyse of purprisioun and usurpatioun as the law levis mec. 1661 Acts Sederunt ii 74.
All bonds, decreets, tacks [etc.] … which were past or registrat dureing the late usurpation 1679 Edinb. B. Rec. X 382.
The tyme of the usurpation of the Inglish 1682 Sc. Ant. XVI 4.
In the tyme of the late rebellione and wsurpatione
