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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Squyar(e, Squyer(e, n. Also: squiar(e, squier(e, squer(e, squyeir, squear, squyr(e, squir(e, squar, sqwyar(e, sqwyer(e, sqwiar, sqwier, sqwear, squhyar, squheyar(e, sqwhyar(e, sqwhiar, schyiher, sk(w)yar, skuire. [ME and e.m.E. squier (c1290), suier (Cursor M.), squyer, sqwyer, squeyer(e (all Wyclif), skuyer (14th c.), squeer (a1400), skyer (c1425), squyre (c1450), squire (a1548), OF esquier.]

1. In the feudal system of military service, a man ranking immediately below a knight; a young man of noble family before he becomes a knight. Also bacheler sqyar (see Bacheler(e n. 1). Also attrib. and transf.(1) a1400 Leg. S. xxix 309.
Bath knycht, squiare, page & swane, … ware slane c1420 Wynt. viii 1569.
Quhen Dwncane that wes Erle of Fyff … had tynt the lyff Makduff his brodyr, a sqwyare That Lorde wes than off Kylqwhonqwhare, … Wes [etc.] c1420 Wynt. vii 3287.
Sqwyare 1456 Hay I 252/19.
Quhare ever a quene be, scho is nocht but lordis, barouns, knychtis and squiaris, and worthy men of were … quhilkis can geve hir … counsale 1490 Fam. Rose 152.
Nobilis knychtis and skyaris c1515 Asl. MS I 227/15.
[They] facht in the barres … aganis twa knychtis and ane sqwyar of Burgunȝe … the larde of Longawell that was the sqwyare a1586 Lindsay MS 1b.
The listis suld be maid … till ane prince of ane hundreth paisis … to ane squyar of xxx(b) 1375 Barb. xix 18.
He had gottyn with him … Gilbert Mal-herbe, Ihone of Logy Thir war knychtis … And Richard Broun als a squyer [C. squyeir] 1375 Barb. xix 361.
Robert off Ogill, a gud squyer, Come prikand than on a courser 1398 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale I 155.
Knyghts and sqwiers c1420 Wynt. viii 5016.
Sqwyere [C. sqwyar, W. squiere] 1456 Hay II 36/10.
Gif the squier that is ressavit be the examynouris tobe knycht … be a rekles man 1456 Hay II 41/3.
In all this suld [a] squyer be inquerit or he be knycht 1494 Loutfut MS 9b.
Quhen men seis a dukis son thai say nocht Lo thar a fair squyer bot Lo thair a fair lord 1494 Loutfut MS 9b.
And herrauld … suld wnderstand that al kingis sonnys ar princis suppos thai be bot squyeris c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 309.
Than said this squyer [sc. Squire Meldrum] to the knicht … I traist that God salbe my gyde And giue me grace to stanche thy pryde 1560 Rolland Seven S. 8999.
It come vnto the eiris Of all the court, amang knichtis and squyeirs How [etc.] a1578 Pitsc. I 59/7.
Thair come ane prence of Ramistoun witht wtheris diuerse nobill knychtis and squyerisattrib. a1598 Ferg. Prov. MS No. 1434.
The lairdis of Scotland the knightis of Naples & the squyr brethren of England mak a poor companytransf. ?1438 Alex. i 72.
Thir knichtis of Grece … Raid weill as furreouris that wicht, … And squyaris wicht, that with thame wair(2) 1456 Hay II 4/1.
How a bacheler squyer of honour passit till a grete semblee of lordis … in entencioun to tak the order of knychthede 1456 Hay II 11/6.
The poyntis of the ordre that a bacheler squier suld lere, or he tak the forenamyt ordre

b. In collocation with a personal name. c1475 Wall. ix 646.
The northland lordis, saw na help cum thaim till, A squier Guthre amang thaim ordand thai, To warn Wallace c1475 Wall. xi 550.
Byrnane wode … Quhar thai found the squier gud Ruwayn

2. specif. With reference to a squire as a follower or servant of a nobleman, or as personal servant of a knight. Also const. to, for a person or task, and of fee. Also transf.(1) 1375 Barb. xix 36 (C).
Thre hundreth and sexte had he Of squyeris, cled in his liverye … At that tyme in his cumpany Outane knychts a1400 Leg. S. xxix 476.
I had mony gud knycht For to serwe me … & squyaris als a1400 Leg. S. xl 1166.
Squyere ?1438 Alex. ii 2815.
Porrus hes send ane squyer [F. varlet] 1420–1 (1429–30) Reg. Great S. 30/1.
At thir condicionnys sal be … kepyt … the forsaid lord and his forsaid squyar ar oblist ilkane til other 1456 Hay II 15/10, 13.
Thai ordanyt him [sc. a knight] a squier and a varlet page … to tak kepe till him, the squiar to gang with him at his bidding, the page to kepe his hors 1516 Treas. Acc. V 95.
To pynoris for the doun taking of the squyaris stair 1516–17 Treas. Acc. V 115.
To Maister Johne, the wrycht, for laubouris done be him in the abbay divers tymes at the master of houshald and the squyaris command 1527 Treas. Acc. V 328.
To Williame Somervile, ane of the squyaris, takand ȝeirlie x li. 1594 Colville Lett. 142.
He wes a schyiher of Da. Home, his brother(b) 1474 Treas. Acc. I 69.
Expensis maid in her hous vpone the squere, the were man of the King of Denmarkis 1490 Exch. R. X 663.
Our traist and velebelovit cosingis and counsalouris, clerkis, and squearis(2) 1507 Treas. Acc. III 258.
Quhit dames … to tua half cotis to Maister William Ogilvy and Alexander Elphinstoun to be squeris to the blak lady(b) 1507 Treas. Acc. III 259.
Thomas Bosuell, Patrik Sinclair and James Stewart, squires for the barres(3) a1500 Rauf C. 774.
Sextie squyaris of fee, Of his retinew to be(4) transf. 1513 Doug. ii viii 65.
Periphas, and Automedon his squyer [L. armiger] 1513 Doug. v v 21.
Jovys squyar [sc. Ganymede] 1513 Doug. xi i 74.
The quhilk Acetes had tofor ybe Squyer to Kyng Evander

b. With phrases or adjectives indicating a position in the household concerned.(a) 1452 Cal. Doc. IV 407.
We beseke yhoure lordeship to speke to the king that he walde wychsaufe to sende a sqvyere of his houshalde 1482 Fam. Rose 148.
Forsamekill as youre familiar squiaris … haf commouit with vs in youre naime a1500 Colk. Sow ii 107.
For his body a squyer he him maid 1516 Treas. Acc. V 97.
To the squyar, master of stable to my lord governour, to by plankkis and uthir necessar thyngis for the stable 1524 Reg. Privy S. I 494/1.
David Wod … squiar and gentilman in our soverane lordis hous 1526 Reg. Privy S. I 516/1.
Andro Wod … gentilman squyar in our soverane lordis hous 1538 Exch. R. XVII 165.
Roberto Gib, scutifero, alias lie squyar stabuli domini regis 1541 Crim. Trials I i 313.
Squyar of the kingis stabill 1624 Misc. Maitl. C. III 490.
Williame Schaw squyer to his Majesties bodie(b) 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 21.
To Rauff Saidlair, squar of the King of Inglandis chalmer

c. In phrases including a personal name. See also Esquiour n.(1) 1380 Yule Collection (Reg. H.).
Our lufit squier Hwchwn 1406 Douglas Chart. 367.
Archebalde, erle of Douglas … kepare to the landis … of … Coldinghame greting: Forthy that we hafe made … our lufit squyer and allie, Alexander of Home our substitute & kepare vndir vs of the foresaide landis [etc.] 1423 (1429–30) Reg. Great S. 30/2.
Our wele beluffet der squyar, Michel Ramsay 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 15.
Ȝhur [sc. the king's] honorablez lettres tyl vs present be ȝhur noble squyer, Jamys of Doglas 1474 M. Napier Mem. J. Napier 37 n.
Our louite familiar sqwiar Johne Napar of Merchamestoune 1476 Sc. Ant. XIII 181.
Squiar 1501 Exch. R. XI 296.
Our fadir … sett the landis of auld Lundoris … to oure lovit familiar squear and servitieur Johne Ballone(b) 1463 Aberd. B. Rec. I 24.
Pleyse your lordschippis to wit that I hafe ressauyt certan credens of youris be your skwyar Alexander of Lesly chargeand me and the tone to be at you this Monunday at evine(2) 1385 Red Bk. Menteith II 260.
Sir Robart Stewart, Eryl of Fyfe and Menteth and Jon of Logy, squyer [etc.] 1488 Treas. Acc. I 97.
Sende to the king with ane callit Downe Sqwear … j^c half royse nobillis

3. With reference to rank more generally in society. A person belonging to the class immediately below a knight.There is considerable overlap with senses 1 and 2 above and some quots. may rather belong in these senses. The Hibbert P. quot. may belong elsewhere.(a) 1375 Barb. xvi 80.
Assemblit he Till him a full gret cheuelry Of squyaris [E. hobilleris], burges and ȝemanry 1400 Charter (Honess Doc. No. 1, Reg. H.) MS in MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 7.
Thir witnes … Sir Wilȝame of Dissynton, lord of Ardrose, … Jonne of Dissynton, Thom Burnat [etc.] … squyaris, & mony otheris c1420 Wynt. ix 2789.
To knychtis and sqwyeris and al gentyle He wes famyliare and humyle. The bischopis, abbotis and prelatis Throu hym ye joysit wele youre statis 14.. Acts I 347/2.
All barouns takis the kingis lawis into the kingis court … knychtis that haldis of barouns sall [etc.] … And thai that haldis of knychtis the quhilkis are callit subuauasouris sall [etc.] … And sa of vnder followand that is to say of subarmigeris the quhilkis haldis of squyaris [L. armigeris] [thai] sall hald and serue the commone law … And gif ony man dois thift in the landis of the forsaid fre tenentis [etc.] 1466 Acts II 85/2.
Gif lawborowis be brokin vpon ony bischope … erle [etc.] … the borgh … sal pay … ane hundreth pundis ande gif lawborowis be brokin apon barowns knichtis sqwiaris or grete beneficit clerkis; … fyfty pundis and gif … burges ȝomen or preistis … xxx pundis c1450-2 Howlat 691 (A).
Denys and digniteis … Scutiferis and sqwyeris & bachilleris blyth c1475 Wall. v 1075.
A squier than rewllyt that lordschip haill c1475 Wall. vi 506.
Schir Jhon the Grayme he gert thar ledar be With him Adam Ȝong lord off Ricardtoun, And Someruaill a squier off renoun 1487 Acts II 181/2.
Our souerane lordis hienes sal send certane ambassiatouris that is to say a bischop a lord of parliament a clerk & a knicht or a honorable squyare c1515 Asl. MS I 213/16.
Thair rais ane Welche sqwyere … callit … Glendoure c1515 Asl. MS I 214/18.
A sqwyere of Walis of law blud weddit Qwene Katryne c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 66.
The squyer was Ane gentilman of Scotland borne. So was his father him beforne, Of nobilnes lineallie discendit(b) 1644 Hibbert P. No. 13.
Richt honorabill sir my lorde and skuire euer remembretproverb. a1628 Carmichael Prov. No. 179.
A scabit horse is gude aneuch for a scald squyer

b. In collocations with personal names.(1) 1416 Liber Melros 539.
Ane honorable sqwhiar John the Hage lorde of Bemerside 1418 Liber Melros 503.
In the witnes … of all thir thyngis … the said abbot … has set the seale of hys office with the seale of a worchipfull sqwhyare Robert of Hoppringyll 1465 Liber Dryburgh 278.
Ws Walter … Abbot of the Abbay of Dryburgh till have sett … til a worschipfull squear William Haliburtone of Mertoun … our plew land of the Bouchecoitis 1472 Bamff Chart. 30.
Me David Blare … to haf ressavit throw the handis of ane honorabil squier David Cumyn of Cowty … the some of twenty and four markis 1474 Reg. Cupar A. I 215.
Squhyar 1478 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 338.
This indentour … acordit betuix honorabill squiaris Alexander Irwin of Drum … and Alexander Cummyn c1550 Lynd. Meldrum heading.
The historie of ane nobil and wailȝeand squyer, William Meldrum, vmquhyle laird of Cleische(2) c1475 Wall. ii 75.
The squier Wallace in Auchincruff c1475 Wall. vi 71.
A squier Schaw … hyr gat in mariage 1490 Foulis Chart. (Reg. H.) 4 Dec.
Sir Squear Vilȝam of Dovn 1501 Treas. Acc. II 125.
Be the kingis command to the squiar of Cleisch xiiij s. 15.. Sym & Bruder 105.
Squyar Johine of Mowis c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 255.
The squyer Meldrum a1578 Pitsc. I 273/19.
The ane callit Alexander Makcullouck and the wther the Squyer of Clesche(3) 1437 Cop. St. A. 154.
Oure wellbelufit frend Androw of Moncure, sqwyare 1439 Douglas Chart. 70.
Vs, Archibald of Douglas … knycht, and Nichole of Ruthirfurde, sqwyar, twa of the summissionaris chosyn 1448 Stirlings of Keir 221.
Squheyaris 1494 Bk. Carlaverock II 449.
Johnne Cartingtoun, and Eduerd Redlif, squyeris, commisionaris and deputis to the moste excellent, hie and mychtie prince Herry 1555–6 Irons Leith II App. 603.
Robert Logane, squyre, laird of Restalrig

4. transf. As a character in a play. 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I 9.
The littistares sal fynd the empriour and twa doctoures and alsmony honeste squiares as thai may 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I 9.
The smythes and hammermen sal fynd the three kingis of Culane, and alsmony honeste squiares as thai may 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I 10.
The brethir of the gilde sall fynd the knyghtes in harnace and squiares honestely araiit 1442 Aberd. B. Rec. I 10.

5. Viewed as an object of amorous attention, passing into a lover. a1500 Seven S. 1492.
To luf it war fer honestare Ane knycht or ellis a gaye sqwyare 1492 Myll Spect. 272/19.
A ȝoung squyar … that was to gretly amorus c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 940.
This lustie ȝoung squyar Saw this ladie … Cum to his chalmer c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 1469.
Howbeit hir bodie wes absent, Hir tender hart wes ay present, Baith nicht and day, with hir squyar 1560 Rolland Seven S. 9879.
Scho beleuing it was not ȝe bot I … had me at sic haitrent Ane vther squyer scho cheisit in luferent

6. As a surname or nickname. 1260 Reg. St. A. 347.
Thoma Squier 1339 Reg. Dunferm. 260.
Miche Squyer 1375 Blackfriars Perth 36.
Wilhelmo dicto Squyer 1413 Reg. St. A. 18.
Domino Willelmo Sqwyer