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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Superintendent, n. Also: superintendant, superentendent, -dand, supperentendent. [e.m.E. superintendent (1554), -dant (1575), MF superintendent (late 15th c. in Larousse), f. L. superintendent-, pres. p. of superintendere.] An official of the Church of Scotland appointed in terms of the First Book of Discipline in 1560, who was charged with the administration of the church's affairs in a designated province, the appointment of new ministers to vacant charges, etc.For many further examples, together with a detailed description of the role, duties, etc. of the superintendents, see Bk. Disc. 201-8. ‘Their duty was to erect kirks, appoint pastors in places hitherto unprovided, and give the occasional benefit of a learned ministry in localities which could not otherwise enjoy that privilege at all. … they must not only preach, but examine the life, diligence and behaviour of the ministers, the order of the churches, and the manners of the people [etc.].'Records of the Scottish Church History Society IV (1932) 41. ‘The office of superintendent was dropped, not because it had failed, but because the men for whom it had been created had failed. 1560 is the heyday of Willock, Winram, Spottiswood, Row, Erskine of Dun, and Knox; 1581 is the day of Andrew Melvill.’ Records of the Scottish Church History Society IV (1932) 47. 1560 Bk. Disc. 205.
Yf the Superintendent be fund negligent … in preacheing of the word and in visitatioun of his churches [etc.] … he must be deposit, without respect of his persoun or office 1560 Bk. Disc. 205.
We think it expedient and necessarie, that als weill the gentilmen, as burgesses of everie diocese, be maid privie at the same tyme to the electioun of the Superintendent 1560 Bk. Disc. 208.
We require that na man be callit to the office of a superintendent who hath not tuo yeiris at the leist gevin declaratioun of his faithfull lawbouris in the ministerie of some churche 1560–1 Donaldson Sc. Reform. 226.
The lordis of secreit counsale … have elected Maister Jhone Spottiswode … superintendent of the dyocesy of Lowtheane 1561 Q. Kennedy Compendious Ressonyng (ed.) 152/8.
I will desyr Spottiswod (becaus he is superintendent of Low-deane) that he tak nocht that spot to him 1561 Misc. Maitl. C. III 267.
Maister Jhone Wynram … wes elected and chosyn in superintendent of Fyffe Fothryk & Strathern 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 84.
Becaws the superintendent in his visitacion of Ballingry caused ane minister, admittit, baptis ane barin, Mr. Alexander injurit the superintendent, affyrmand hymself to be minister of that kyrk 1562 Misc. Maitl. C. III 304.
The superintendent … ordenis the saidis Jhon and Margret to coheir and keip cumpany together … as becummis man and wyff 1562-3 Winȝet I 16/3.
Quhow can ȝe superintendentis or vther inferiour prechouris … iuge ȝoure selfis to be lauchfull ministeris in the Kirk of God 1565 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 24.
[The] supperentendent biand present, for tryell of the doctryne and lif of the minuster [etc.] … the minister biand remowit, the kirk biand requyrit … be the superentendent to schaw gif thai knew ony falt in the mynister in lif or doctryne sene the last generall essemble, the haill kirk ansueris: We knaw non 1565 Canongate Kirk S. (ed.) 32.
Thridlie, it wes requirit be the superentendent gif ony broder haid ony thing to say to broder, quhair it wes ansuerit: We haif appointit four men to reconsiell all sik personis 1565 Edinb. Univ. MS La.iii.388a, 2a. 1566–7 Crail B. Ct. Feb.
Superentendand 1568 Reg. Privy S. VI 92/2.
That he offer and put himself to the superintendent of Angus … to be imployit be him to sic charge as he sall think guide 1576 Reg. Privy C. II 565.
Johnne Erskin of Dun, Superintendent of Angus a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 209.
The patron presenting ane qualified persone [to the benefice] … if the superintendent refuis to admmitt him, may appeall to the synod a1650 Row 49. 1687 Shields Hind Let Loose 67.
Superintendants