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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.

Greve-, Gref-, Greifschip, -ship, n. Also: grevischip, grewe-, grieve-, grefe-, greyfschip(e. [f. Greve n.¹ The more common 16th c. form is Greschip, q.v. Also in later Eng. as grieveship (1721, Hearne).]

1. The district under the jurisdiction of the grieve of certain northern boroughs (viz. Cullen, Elgin, and Inverness).In this sense chiefly in 14th and 15th c. Latin texts.(a) 1381 Reg. Great S. (1814) 157/2.
Terras de Finlettre et de le Grieueschip de Culane Ib. 176/1.
Terras … de Greuiscip de Culane 1456 Exch. R. VI. 211.
De firmis terrarum de Greveschip de Elgyn 1458 Ib. 463.
Le Greveschip burgi de Elgyn 1585 Inverness Rec. I. 298.
The statut … aganis the cottaris of the burcht and greweschip of Innernisattrib. 1562 Exch. R. XIX. 202 n.
We [the provost, baillies and counsel of Elgin] ar detbund to your grace in tuentie markis of yeirlie dewitie callit greveschip males to the erledome of Murray(b) 1458 Exch. R. VI. 460.
Et de viij li. [rent] dele Grefeschipde Elgyn 1460 Ib. 653.
Duas marcas de le Greyfschipe de Elgyn 1496 Reg. Great S. 492/2.
Terras [in Forres] nuncupatas le Grefship, le Bailyeland, le Mekilbog

2. Stewardship. 1575 Edinb. Test. IV. 63.
The day of jugement quhen thay sall gif ane compt of thair greifschip