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

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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Octavians, n.pl. Also: Octaviens, Octawianis. [e.m.E. Octaveyans (1596), Octavians; f. L. octāvus eighth (cf. also L. Octāviānus pertaining to the Romans gens Octāvia.)] The name given to a committee of eight members appointed by James VI in 1595–6 to control the crown revenues and the exchequer.(Cf. also Octoverat n.) 1596 J. Carey Let. to Burghley 9 June in J. Bain Cal. Border P. II. 135.
[Some of the ‘Octaveyans’ of the Secret Council 1596 Cal. Sc. P. XII. 393.] a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI 373.
I maid mention afore of the nomber of eight men of the Kings choice, who governed his effairis verie weill. Bot certen persons commoovit in ther myndis aganis sum of these Octaviens, careit sik invy as [etc.] 1600-1610 Melvill 330.
That wintar [1595–6] the haill officiars of esteat war alterit and the Kings haill effeares concerning his patrimonie propertie and casualities war put in the hands of aught, and sa almaist the haill administratioun of the realme, and thairfor named Octavians a1605 Birrel Diary 37.
These lordis, all callit Octavians, viz. Alex^r. Seytoun of Pluscartie, Walter Stewart of Blantyre [etc.] c1615 Chron. Kings 154.
The Kingis maiestie being in the tolbuyth and the Octawianis with him a1633 Hope Major Pract. I. 69.
Ther is a commissione of exchequer first granted to the Octavians anno 1593 [sic] a1639 Spotsw. Hist. 422. c1646 Craufurd Edinb. Univ. 17.
The unhappie tumult … cunninglie stirred up be some crafty courtiers for their owen endis against the Octavians a1651 Calderwood V. 393. Ib. 513.
About the beginning of this yeere [1596] were chosin eight commissioners by the king and counsell, called the Commissioners of the Exchecker, but otherwise by the people called Octavians, to whom was committed the oversight and care of the king's rents [etc.] a1670 Scot Staggering State 16.
Sir Alexander Seaton … chancellor … was one of the Octavians a1676 Guthry Mem. 6. 1681 Purves Revenue Crown 8.