Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1965 (SND Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
OCTAVIAN, n. One of a committee of eight members appointed by James VI in 1595 to have control of the royal exchequer. Hist.Sc. 1750–1 W. McFarlane Geneal. Coll. (S.H.S.) II. 167:
He created him a Lord of Session and one of the Octavians . . . which was a Court erected by King James in Anno 1595 to order his Revenues.Sc. 1873 J. H. Burton Hist. Scot. V. 299:
The battle of the octavians, with the zealots of the Church on one side and the “cubiculars” of the Court on the other, lasted for eighteen months.Sc. 1929 Sc. N. & Q. VII. 127:
He sat on the Council at Holyrood . . . on the 9th January, at the Council Meeting that constituted The Octavians.
