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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Hers(e, n. Also: heres, heirs; hears(e; hairs(e. [ME. heers, herce, herse (c 1386), F. herse, med. L. hercia.] A candelabrum, espec. as used in church; later appar. applied chiefly to a hanging chandelier.(a) c 1450 Misc. Maitl. C. III. 205.
Ane gret hers in the quere 1475 Chart. St. Giles lxviii.
The … chapell of Sanct John fra the ald hers of yrn inwart 1494 Edinb. Hammermen 7.
For vle doly to scour the hers candill on sanct Loys day 1506 Ib. 57.
For … walx ekit to ij ald stompis of the bras hers 1547 Banff Ann. I. 31.
For waxe candillis to the hers afoir our Lady 1562 6th Rep. Hist. MSS. App. 648/2.
In the vtter chalmer ane hingand herse of brase 1600 Aberd. B. Rec. II. 207.
The sowme of tuelff pundis … for furnessing of candillis to the haill herssis in the kirk 1619 Elgin Rec. II. 161.
William Innes … gaif fyve merkis … to furnis licht to the mercheantis hers(b) 1519 Reg. Episc. Aberd. II. 176.
The hall with … ane hart horn heirs(c) 1610 Brechin Test. II. 28.
Ane hinging hears 1612 Ib. 208 b.
Ane hears of bras in the hall 1637 Aberd. B. Rec. III. 121.
To putt tuo lightis in euerie ane of the thrie hearssis hinging in the bodie of the kirk 1682 Elgin Rec. II. 312.
For transleting of the three hearses 1686 Ib.
For iron for making rakes [= racks] for the hearses(d) 1627 Brechin Test. IV. 291.
Ane hinginge hairs of brais 1672 Banff Ann. II. 48.
Baillie Stewart … ordered to see a hairse that is in the toun and buy it for the church's use