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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.

Vicar(e)-general(e, n. Also: vicar-, vicer-, wicar-generall, vycare-generale, wycar-generalle, wecar-generall. Pl. vicaris-generalis, vicare-generalis. [ME and e.m.E. viker general (Chaucer), vicair general (Gower), vicar general (1539), pl. vicars generall (1536), vicaires generalls (c1628), F. vicaire général, L. vicarius generalis.]

1. A person who is a representative of God. Also transf., applied to Christ. 1456 Hay I 104/16.
God … and next him his vicare generale the Pape 1490 Irland Mir. I 82/13.
The … hevy teris of Sanct Petire eftir his syn and trinale negacioune of his God, saluatour and master, Jhesus, causit Jhesus to perseueire in His promys, and hym to be in erd His vice gerand and vicare generaletransf. c1568 Lauder Minor P. i 352.
Christ als is with thame, as Uicar generall, Rewlar and gydar of the faithfull all, Without quhais spreit no gude thing can be wrocht

2. An ecclesiastical officer appointed by a bishop as his representative. Chiefly, const. of a see, order, etc., also, to a person.For further information see John Dowden The Medieval Church in Scotland (1910) p. 221 f.(1) sing. 1473 Lanark & R. 194.
Ws frere John Mure wicar generall of the ordour of prechouris, and the diffinitouris of the cheptour of the samin ordir with consent ande assent of the prior of Glasgw and the convent of the samyn: Ande [etc.] 1497 Acta Conc. II 80.
Jhone, prior of Sanctandros, vicar generale of the sammyn, the seig vacand 1498 Reg. Privy S. I 36/1.
Vicare general 1500 Reg. Privy S. I 87/2.
The vicar generall of Cathnes 1567 Reg. Privy S. VI 2/2.
Lettiris of presentatioun … direct to James, archbischop of Glasgw, and to Maister James Balfour, dene of Glasgw, vicer generall of the seat thairof and having power to ressave presentationis of benefices pertening to the collatioun of the said archbischop during his remaning in the pairtis of France a1578 Pitsc. I 286/20.
Pryor Johnne Hepburne was at that time wicar generall of the bischoperick of Sanctandrois(b) 1481–2 Misc. Spald. C. II 324.
Frer James Lyndessay bachylar in theloge wycar generalle of the freris minoris of Scotlande 1498 Acta Conc. II 278.
That tharfore letters be writin til the vycare generale of Rosse and to the officiale of the samin requiring thame that thai wald cal thir partiis and witnes before thame til a certane day [etc.]pl. 1504 Crim. Trials I i 42.
The dene, cheptour, vicaris-generalis and chanonis of the samyn, the said abbay of Jedworthe and convent thairof 1523 Treas. Acc. V 216.
The uther half [of the letters] deliverit to Gilbert Reouch, viz., to all the prelatis on south half Forth to the samyn effect abone writtin, and quhare the bischopis was nocht to deliver the lettres to the vicaris-generalis of the said dioces 1546 Acts II 467/2.
Schir Jhonne Castellaw chaplane and commissar specialie constitute be the vicar generalis of Sanctandrois(2) sing. 1489 Acta Conc. I 122/1.
The said Schir Thomas to … be … obeyit in the payment of the teyndis [pr. tteyndis] … efter the forme of the vicare generalis lettrez of his presentacioun & collacioun gevin therapoun 1497 Acta Conc. II 80.
Vycare generale 1500 Acta Conc. II 443.
Vicar general 1517 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 100.
Andro, archibischop of Sanctandrois, that now eftir his admissioune to the temporalite … ratifiit the collation ordiner gevin be the vicar generale to the said Mastir Anthone 1522 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 153.
We pray and als chargis yow my lordis chancellar, vicar generall and uthiris jugis spirituale and temporall, that [etc.] c1575 Balfour Pract. 24.
Gif ony bischop of this realme deceis, it is leasum to the vicar generall to tak up … the … rentis … pertening to the spiritualitie of the said bischoprick(b) 1473 Lanark & R. 194.
We wecar generall and diffinitowris till the present writpl. 1516 Reg. Privy S. I 425/2.
The said M. David salbe promovit thairto as said is sicklyke as he had presentit hym to the vicare generalis(3) 1575 Reg. Privy S. VII 26/1.
[James Balfour, dean of Glasgow and] vicar generall to James, sumtyme bischop of Glasgw, being in the pairtis of France … in his spirituall and temporall effairis 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 102.
The Bishop of Galloway … is vicar-generall to the Archbishop of Glasgow, and in the vacancie of that see, can do any thing that the archbishop himselfe could have done