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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Governour, n. Also: -oure, govirnour, gouverneur, -our, guv-, governyour. [ME. governoure, -nour (a 1300), OF. gouvernour, governeor, -eür.] A governor, in various senses. (Cf. Governe v.)(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1908.
Pallamydes ȝit ryngand And hole governour all beand 1425 Acts II. 12/1.
The alderman balȝeis or the gouernouris of thai townis 1456 Hay I. 55/21.
Thus was it ordanyt be the governouris of the Romaynis Ib. 120/10.
Thai ar lordis and princis, ledaris and governouris a1500 Henr. III. 171/49.
O lord of lordis, god & gouuernour c1515 Asl. MS. I. 233/12.
Schir Heury Bekirtoun, gouernour to the Scottis archeris 1513 Doug. ii. xii. 35.
Nor the hie governour of the hevin abufe Wil suffer it so to be 1533 Bell. Livy I. 115/30.
He behauit him self at all journeis sa craftelie that he was chosin finalie gouernoure of all the Gabinis army 1549 Compl. 146/12.
There gouuernours gat … the butin and spulȝe that thai conqueist fra the tirran oppressours 1596 Dalr. I. 81/18.
Vndir sik gouernours and gydes thay florished mony ȝeirs(2) 1409 Exch. R. IV. p. ccix.
Ane excellent ande a mychty prince, Robert Duc of Albany, … and gouverneur of Scotland 1419 Wemyss Chart. 45.
A consale … qware oure lord Governyoure accusit the said Schir Jon … that wrangwisly [etc.] 1423 Edinb. Chart. 213.
Vs worthis to vndirly the ordonance of yhure noble depute the gouernour off your realme 1522 Maxwell Mem. 250.
Johnne Duk of Albanye, tuetour to our souueraine lord and guuernour of his realme 1533 Boece Table 26.
How Andro Murray was chosin coleig to the gouernoure 1553 Treas. Acc. X. 180.
For ane bow and aroues to my lord governoures sone David a1578 Pitsc. I. 17/32.
The governoure callit all his freindis and assistaris to ane counsall Ib. 22/1.
He requestit the gowernour … to gif him twa dayis trewis 1596 Dalr. II. 328/26.
The Gouernour and sum of the special nobilitie vpon a counsell ar called(3) 1456 Hay I. 101/16.
Ȝit say we that God is lord, syre and governoure of bataillis 1458 Peebles B. Rec. 126.
Sanct Androwis kyrk … to the qwhilk the balyeis and the communite of Peblis ar tutowris, keparis, or gouernowris 1475 Ib. 175.
Tutouris and gouernowris of the said anvelles 1471 Edinb. Chart. 134.
We charge … in speciale the masteris and governouris of the saidis botis that [etc.] 1551 Hamilton Cat. 3.
The haly spreit quhilk is ane daily techeour and governour of the hail vniversal kirk 1608 Highland P. III. 112.
Vpoun the avisement with the Admirall … and especialie with him wha is present governour of hir [sc. the galley](4) a1500 Doug. K. Hart 34.
Thir war the inwarde ythand seruitouris Quhilk gouernouris war vnto this nobill king 1540 Reg. Privy S. II. 487/2.
Makand him curatour, gydour and governour to Patrik Neilsoun, quhilk is daft and hes na witt to gyde himself 1573 Montgomery Mem. 211.
Hew Erll of Egiintoun, … as lauchfull administratour, gyder and gowernour to him 1684 Glamis Bk. Rec. 16.
The infectione quhich the E. of Erroll's governour was attact'd with