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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.

Birge, Burge, n. Also: byrge, (byrgh), berge, burche. [Reduced form of Birges.]

1. Birge satin (also satin birge), satin of Bruges.(a) 1503 Treas. Acc. II. 310.
For ij½ elne Birge satin to him 1506 Ib. III. 51.
viij ½ elne satin Birge to be ane ruf for the Kingis bed in schip c 1555 Crail Ch. Reg. 64.
Twa caipis for chantouris of greyne byrge satyne orphesit with reide byrge satyne 1567 Treas. Acc. MS. 268.
vj elnis of blak birge satene 1581 Edinb. Test. X. 76.
Foure elnis & ane half of birge satyne(b) 1512 Treas. Acc. IV. 201.
xix½ elnis greyne burge satyne 1580 Ib. MS. 35² b.
Ane eln of burge satyn to be putchis to his maiesties hoise

2. Birge threid (see Birges,n.).(a) 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 62.
Deliverit to the browdstair j pund of Birge threid 1507 Ib. IV. 16.
For ane pund small Birge threid to sew the Kingis jak with 1531 Ib. V. 425.
Ane pund rede birge threde 1543 Aberd. Reg. XVIII (J).
Ane Frence rapar, … the neif wewpit with blak birge thred 1556–7 Edinb. Old Acc. II. 72.
Ane waill to the hie alter … Ane pund … of quhit birge threid to be bandis and lachattis to it 1593 Edinb. Test. XXV. 231 b.
Tua pund of berge threid estimate to xxx s.(b) 1536 Ayr Common Good Acc.
Item burche threid to mak ane belt to our lady alter 1567 Edinb. Test. I.* 59.
Tuelf pund of quhyte burge threid