A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1474, 1557-1631, 1698
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Bedlare, a. and n. Also: bedlayar, -lyar; bedler; beiddellar; bedel, bedell, bedall, bedaill, beddall, beddell. [ME. bedlawyr (c 1440), -lawere, -laure, also bedlawerman (1419).] = Bedrall a. and n.1(a) 1474 Acts Lords Auditors 36/2.
Johne of Kers wes seke & bedlare the tym of the alienatioun of the said land 1557–8 Edinb. Old Acc. I. 233.
To the beidmen … for thair annuell, xx li.; Item, to the beiddellars, x li. 1585 Reg. Soltre 80.
Donatioun of beidmenschippis, bedlyaris and vtheris officis 1612 Ib. 247.
Pure beidmen and bedlayaris 1631 Lithgow 107.
At night see how they flock, Lyke buriall-busked bedlers(b) 1561 Peebles B. Rec. 272.
The west volt … for the ressait of pure folkis, decrepit bedellis, to be harbryit thairintill 1577 Edinburgh Testaments V. 340.
He leuis to … the pure of the bedaill & [? in] almwis fourty merkis 1605 Aberd. Kirk S. 45.
The bedallis of the said hospital 1698 Urie Baron Ct. 103.
Which quantity of victuall to be given out to beddells extends to weekly two peckis … and [the bailie] ordains the saids beddalls [etc.]
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"Bedlare adj., n.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 5 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/bedlare>
