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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Isch(e)ar(e, Is(c)her, n. Also: issch(e)are, ischair, ys(c)h(e)ar(e, ys(c)her. [Sc. variant of Uschar n.]

1. An usher, a door-keeper, esp. of the royal household. Freq. const. of (the hall, chamber, etc.).(a) 14.. Acts I. 346/2.
For the fee of the ischear of the kechyne v li., … for the fee of the ischear of the kingis chalmer v li. 1490 Treas. Acc. I. 174.
To the isschares of the haw dure 1503 Ib. II. 336.
To Maister [Hamnet] Cleg, gentilman ischar to the quene, his half ȝeris fee 1531 Bell. Boece (M) II. 399/18.
[The conspirators] corrupit the portaris and ischearis in sik maner that thai gatt enteres in the kingis hall 1533 Boece xiii. xiii. 529.
Sua was … made … Dauid Lyndesay … grete chammerlane, & Alane maister ischeare grete justice 1556 Edinb. B. Rec. II. 2060.
vj crownis … to be gevin to the officeris ischaris of the quenis chalmer duir 1588 Reg. Privy C. IV. 321.
[Johnne Drummond] ane of the ishearis of his majesteis chalmer(b) 1502 Treas. Acc. II. 147.
To the maister ischair, that he laid doun 1503–4 Ib. 337.
To Thomas Schorelaw … ischair of the quenis chamir 1524 Reg. Privy S. I. 492/1.
[The office of] maister ischair(c) 1540 Treas. Acc. VII. 332.
To William Barde, James Wod, ischeris of the uter chalmer dur 1541 Ib. 481.
To Williame Foulis, ischer of the chekker hous dur 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Feodvm.
The keipers of the signet, privie and great seales, ischers of his hienesse chalmer [etc.] 1602 Colville Parænese.
Euin the menest membres of all courtes … vnto the bedalles, sergeants, domsteres and ischeres 1607–8 Misc. Spald. C. V. 137.
To the clerkis of checker, thair servandis, isher, and porter 1619 Aberd. Council Lett. I. 174.
Debursit in Exchecker, … to the blak buik and ischeris —1629 Stirling's Royal Lett. I. 378 (see Ischearie n.).attrib. 1560 Treas. Acc. XI. 36.
To Williame Foulis for his ordinar ischer fee(d) 1528 Lynd. Dreme 23.
I haue … bene … Thy yschare, aye sen thy natyuitie 1585 Acts III. 376/1.
In taking of greittar feis seillis be the yschearis of his chalmer 1592 Ib. 606/1.
Alexander Ȝoung, yscheare depute of his hienes chalmer(e) 1590 Reg. Privy C. IV. 808.
[The said lord renouncing any benefit competent to him as] maister yscher [of the King's chamber] 1600 Reg. Privy S. LXXI. 143.
Alexander Young, ane of the ysheris of oure souerane lordis chalmer

2. An officer whose duty was to walk in front of the King on ceremonial occasions. 1589 Calderwood V. 61.]
[The king's majestie alone and onlie the Lord Fleming, his chamberlane and maister isher, passing before him, … sall meete the queen 1641 Acts V. (1870) 332/1.
For taking vpon him, without … directione from his majestie, to goe befoir the king as ischear with ane rod in his hand