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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Ȝemanry, n. Also: ȝemanrie, ȝheman-, ȝhemenry, ȝuman-, ȝhuman-, ȝhwman-, ȝhumenry, yeaman(d)rie. [ME and e.m.E. yemanrye, yomanrye (both Chaucer), yemenry (1497), yeomanry (1538), yeomandry (1592).] The class of small landowners, farmers and commoners (Ȝeman n. 1). b. Such persons as fighting men. Only in Barb.Quot. Lamb refers to this class of society in England.(a) 1375 Barb. xvi 80.
Of all Irland assemblit he Bath burges and chewalry And hobilleris and ȝhumanry 1375 Barb. xvii 540.
Quhen the men of that countre Saw thar land swa destroyit be Thai gaderyt … Archeris burges & ȝhumanry [C. ȝhemenry] Preystis clerkys … and men of all maneris 1375 Barb. xix 171.
Than sall the mast off his menȝe That ar bot symple ȝumanry Be [dystrenȝit] commonaly To wyn thar mete with thar trawaill And sum of thaim nedis but faill With pluch and harow for to get And other ser crafftis thar mete Swa that thar armyng sall worth auld 1549 Lamb Resonyng 35/10.
I will nocht … rehers … the spuilȝe of ȝour kirkis, the extorsioun of the ȝemanrie and gentillmen 1574 Three Reformers 118.
Syne hes their sommer maill to by Wherefore they man sell [pr. fell] sheep and ky, Quhilk does undoe in this cuntrie, The maist part of our yeamanrie(b) 1699 Belhaven Rudiments 43.
For in a good yeamandrie both the riches and strength of a nation consistethb. 1375 Barb. iv 386.
Schir Jhon the Hastingis … With knychtis … And squyeris and ȝemanry [C. ȝhemanry] … Wes in the castell 1375 Barb. xv 500.
Douglas with ȝone ȝhwmanry Sall haf na mycht till ws 1375 Barb. xvii 944.
He gert ordane … Bath armyt men and ȝhumenry In-till Irland in hy to fayr