Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

Proclamatio(u)n, -acio(u)n(e, n. Also: proclamm-, proclem-, procliem-, proclim-, and -atio(u)ne, -asion, -acon. [Late ME proclamacyon (1415), -asion (Lydgate), e.m.E. -acion (1483–4), -ation (1561), F. proclamation, OF -acion (1370 in Godef. Compl.), L. prōclāmātiōn-, n. of action f. prōclāmāre, Proclame v.] Proclamation.

1. The action of proclaiming or officially and publicly announcing something, by word of mouth or by posting of notices or the like; public announcement.See also Opin adj. 4 (2), Plain adj.¹ 3 and Public adj. for further examples.(1) 1451 Acts II 40/1.
That the demy the grote [etc.] … haf thar cours that thai now haf on to the tym of the proclamacioun & the cours of the said new mone 1494 Treasurer's Accounts I 239.
Gevin to ane prest, that was notare at the proclamacioune of the breiff of ydiotry of the Erle of Suddirland 1497 Acts Lords of Council II 83.
To preif sufficientlye the proclamatioun of the sade respict and the breking of the sammyn 1506 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 109. 1514 Acts Lords of Council MS XXVI 169.
That the proclamatioun of the decret … be proclamit in all borrowstownys neidfull 1533 Dunferm. Reg. Ct. 100.
Efter the the proclamatione of the cry of the fayr 1540 Lynd. Sat. Proclam. head. 1542 Acts II 409/1.
Ane precept of parliament vnder the testimoniale of the grete sele of the proclamatioune of the said parliament 1549 Perth Hammermen 73. 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 213.
The said William suld big the … rowme of the Croce … and to mak the interes to the heid thairof for proclamationis as it is now 1556 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I 52.
Proclamacon 1557 Inverness Rec. I 14.
Befor the proclamation of the ost 1561 Canongate B. Ct. in Misc. Maitl. C. II 289.
That the proclamatioun of his breve rasit be him as … air to umquhill Sir Williame Foirhous cheplane wer sufficientlie provin [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. II 124/14.
Quhan thir proclematiounis war endit … than the trumpattis … blew 1587 Protocol Book of J. Inglis 20 Aug.
Eftir the said proclamatione the said messinger effext ane copy vpone the maist patent kyrk dure 1592 Douglas Chart. 309. 1594 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 272.
We have … commandit thame … to be reddie to accompanie my lord luiftenent at the nixt proclamatione a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1825) 167.
Bot the proclamation thareof was sa weill payit with bastonads that nayne [etc.] c1650 Spalding I 204.
Thir proclamationis endit, the nobles wold stay no longer in the toun 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 132.
All which markets he usually did ride with a noble train at their proclamation 1681 Stair Inst. (1693) ii iv §53.
If a vassal shall by precipitation marry his apparent heir when he is moribundus, without treaty or public proclamations, the heir is liable for a marriage although he was married before his predecessor's death(2) 1468 Acts II 92/1.
Befor the first proclamacione made in the parliament 1489 Ib. 215/2. c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 154.
Ane proclamatioun ȝe suld mak Baith throw the land and borrowstounis, To schaw thare face and cut thare gownis c1530-40 Stewart Bann. MS 216 a/13.
Bot titar mak plane proclamatioun To gaddir all sic bybillis [etc.] 1545 St. P. Henry VIII V 413.
Proclamasions 1547 Cal. Sc. P. I 6.
For thar is no proclamation mad on thair dyat 1550 Reg. Privy C. I 106. c1552 Lynd. Mon. 1849.
Than maid he proclamatioun, Quho maid nocht adoratioun To that new god … sulde suffer dede c1552 Ib. 2028. 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. II 228.
[The] quenis sereffis … to pas and mak siclik proclamatioun vpoun the vthir syde of the watter a1578 Pitsc. II 42/16.
He caussit ane herald to pase to the corse and maid oppin procliematiounis that [etc.] a1578 Ib. I 172/3.
Procliematioun a1578 Ib. marg.
Proclimatioune a1578 Ib. 202/21.
Proclematioun a1578 Ib. 203/27.
Proclematiounis a1578 Ib. 257 heading.
Proclammatiounis a1578 Ib. II 36/9, etc. 1603 Moysie 91.
Proclamatiounis wes maid … to all noblemen … to ryse in armes 1604 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 3. 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 169.
Suche actis and proclamasionis as ȝour majestie hes commandit to be meade c1650 Spalding I 203.
And thair … causis mak proclamatioun of ane imprintit paper commanding [etc.] 1687 Dunkeld Presb. I 477.
Being interrogat whether they hade made the proclamatione anent leasing making, they all answered affirmatively(3) 1533 Boece 81.
At the nixt merket croce be proclamacion thai defendit that the chiftane suld [etc.] a1538 Abell 85 a.
At thi enemes be proclamatioun suld nocht be resauit thare 1540 Lynd. Sat. 2829.
With his consent be proclamatioun Baith cors present & cow we sall cry down c1552 Id. Mon. 2434. 1670 Lamont Diary 216.
Be proclamation be act of cownsell att Edb., the dollars … were cryed downe to 56 s.(4) 1456 Hay II 152/1.
And that be done secretely, but proclamacioun or brute, quhill the dede schaw it(5) 1466 Acts II 86/1.
And seculeris … to be lymmit ande ordanit be his hienes of xv dais proclamacion, ande gif thai be fundin culpable thai sal [etc.](6) 1572 Reg. Privy C. II 140.
To pas to the marcat croces of the burrowis … of Wigtoun, Air [etc.] … and place of proclamatioun within the stewartrie of Menteith

b. The period of time following the public announcement of an order and before its lapse. 1497 Acts Lords of Council II 91.
That he, within the proclamacione of the kingis hoist spulȝeit and tuke … viij oxin [etc.] 1577 Murray Early Burgh Organisation I 329.
[Guilty of an assault] upon the vi daye of Julij instant, at the mercatt croce within the tyme of proclamatioun

2. That which is proclaimed; a formal order or announcement with respect to its content.(1) 1451 Acts II 40/1.
Efter the cours of the said proclamacioun 1506 (c 1580) Edinb. B. Rec. I 110.
Quhair ony maner of personis … dois incontrair this our proclamatioun and inhibitioun 1508 Aberd. B. Rec. in Mill Mediæv. Plays 137.
Eftir the tenour of the statutis & proclamatioun maide be the prouoistis baillies & counsaill 1509 Reg. Privy S. I 286/2.
Nochtwithstanding ony proclamatioun, ordinance or charge maid … be the king or his wardanis anent [etc.] 1526 Renfrew Arch. Coll. I 128.
In time of perliament in contrar his [sc. the king's] proclamatioun of peax 1540 Lynd. Sat. 1508 (Bann.).
Bruder, hard ȝe ȝone proclamatioun? 1540 Ib. 1902 heading.
Ane proclamatioun to be tane in eftirwart of the pa[r]liament 1558-66 Knox II 274, 275.
In the earis of the haill people that hearis this proclamatioun and specialie in presence of you Lyoun Herald and of the rest of your collegues, etc., makaris of this proclamatioun 1571 Bann. Memor. 153.
The said proclamatioune prohibeiting [etc.] 1572-5 Diurnal of Occurrents 323.
Wpoun the xij day, ane proclamatioun ovir the castell wall be ane herauld, first commandand all [etc.] 1577 Douglas Corr. 227. a1578 Pitsc. I 197/12.
Thairfore they send proclamationis throw the oist to gar stop all men that [etc.] a1578 Ib. 172/11.
Procliematiouns 1592 Acts III 557/2.
Oure souerane lord … exemis the saidis myneris … fra all taxationis, charges, proclamationis and vther chargis quhatsumevir baith in peace and weir 1596 Dalr. I 150/1.
Quhilke denuntiatione and proclamatioune of weiris publiklie being exhibited [etc.] 1605 Birrel Diary 13. a1634 Forbes Rec. 519.
In that proclamation the holy ministrie ar insimulat 1636 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 177. 1639 Aberd. B. Rec. III 171.
Thay do adhear … sincerelie to his maiesties proclamatioun 1672 Justiciary Ct. Rec. II 90. 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X 330.
The councill apoynts ane proclamatione to be ishewed that [etc.] 1686 Inverness Presb. 124.
He inquired if they hade publickly read the proclamation against leasing-makers 1687 Edinb. B. Rec. XI 227.
That the clerks of kirk sessions and other church officers … should not be prejudged of their … accustomed fees and casualties … but they should have the same for byganes since the date of his majesties late gracious proclamation of indulgence 1687 Bonckle Kirk S. 91. 1690 Dunkeld Presb. II 438. 1691 Glasgow B. Rec. IV 34.
A proclamation to be sent through the toune for roupeing the samen [great lodging](2) 1532 Misc. Hist. Soc. VIII 11.
I … sall ride witht the said abbote … to the kingis weyris at all generall proclamatiounis 1533 Bell. Livy I 28/26.
He commandit generall edictis & proclamacioun to be maid in all partis 1566 St. A. Kirk S. 270.
In respect of the generall proclamacion of owr soweran set furth in approbacione of owr relegion(3) 1545 Reg. Privy C. I 12.
Efter the forme and tennour of the proclamatioun direct herupoun 1614 Denmylne MSS in Highland P. III 167.
Proclamatiounes ar lykwayise derect … to ony one of the … rebellis as will … come(4) 1636 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 177.
[The Council] … ordanis proclamatioun to pas through this burgh dischairging all the inhabitants … fra [etc.] 1686 Ib. XI 164.
The counsell appoynts a proclamatioun to pass through the cittie intimating to all masters … that [etc.] 1690 Musselburgh 119.
The counsell appoynts a proclamatione to goe through the burgh and [etc.]

b. A printed or written document bearing the text of a proclamation or formal order. Also letter of proclamatioun.(1) 1497 Treasurer's Accounts I 339.
Gevin to Stobo, that tyme he wrait mony proclamationis, xviij s. 1501–2 Ib. II 131.
Giffin to Johne Musch, messingeir, to pas to Forfair, Kincardin, with the proclamatiounis for the airis 1600-1610 Melvill 613.
Ane Englische proclamatioune, in matter and langwedge givin at Hamptoun Court and printed at Edinburghe 1678 Inverness Presb. 89.
A bundell of printed proclamations 1679 Cunningham Diary 112.
For the proclamation indemnitory, 1.0 1697 Foulis Acc. Bk. 220.
For tobacco and the proclamatioun anent the French babies(2) 1561 Treasurer's Accounts XI 55.
To Williame Barrie … passand of Edinburght witht lettres of proclamatioun … [dis]chargeing all kirkmen … to sett ony feuis 1561–2 Ib. 156. 1562 Ib. 208.
To ane boy passand of Abirdene witht lettres of proclamatioun and certane missive billis direct to the comptar clerkis to caus be execute

c. An announcement or declaration more generally; transf. a1568 Bannatyne MS 55 a/116.
Be grace devyne than opnit my ressone Till vndirstand this proclamatioun The quilk … This bird so sweitly song … Man [mend thy lyfe]

3. Proclamation of banns: cf. Proclame v. 1 b, c.See Bandis n. pl. for further examples. 1571 in Calderwood III 37.
Suche as impugne proclamatioun of bannes 1640 Mouswald Kirk S. 1 July.
That before proclamatione they shall consigne tuo dolloris into the ministeris hand 1661 Cramond Kirk S. 29 Dec.
The presbiteries advice … was to stopp his proclamatione with Agnes Millar 1661 Acts VII 231/1. 1666 Moray Synod 137.
Suspended … for marrying a couple without thrice proclamation 1670 Lamont Diary 216.
They were maried privatly in Leith withowt proclamation 1676 Dunblane Synod 114. 1678 Cramond Kirk S. II 21 July.
Upon a testimony from Dalmeny of his thrice proclamation thair 1690 Cramond Kirk S. III 6 Nov.
That Eupham Spottiswood … haveing given up her name for proclamation in order to marriage … William Weddell … desired that her proclamation might be stopped

4. Attrib. (? in sense 3) with -money. 1682 Edgar Old Ch. Life II 107.
The superplus of the proclamation money … is concluded to return to the schoolmaster