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Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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

Simony, n. Also: simonie, symony(e, symonie, symone. [ME simonie (a1225), symonie (c1290), symonye (Manning), e.m.E. simony (1534), F. simonie (c1138 in Larousse), eccl. L. simonia, f. the name of Simon Magus (see Acts viii 18-19).] Simony. The practice of buying or selling ecclesiastical benefices. Also personified. c1420 Wynt. vi 1349.
This ilk legate fand, That a byschape off that land Gat that state wyth symony c1420 Wynt. vi 1409 (W). 1456 Hay I 28/27.
Avarice, symony, scisme and usure 1456 Hay I 102/8, etc. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1310.
The pure is peillit, the lord may do na mis, And simonie is haldin for na syn c1490 Irland Asl. MS 20/15.
He suld speir at … kirk men of symony, evill governance and negligence anentis the pepill c1515 Asl. MS II 167/341. 1525 St. A. Formulare I 270.
All the plagis and trublis that lychtit … apon Symon Magus for his symony a1538 Abell 5b.
Aaron … nocht ingirit him self be ambitioun and symonye hes dois now othir kirk men c1552 Lynd. Mon. 4798.
Off benefyce thay [sc. priests] mak gude marchandyce Throuch symonye, quhilk thay hald lytill vyce 1551 Hamilton Cat. 11.
Also thai synne aganis the sevint command that committis symonye a1568 Bann. MS 88a/51.
The foull feid that ȝe call symone c1575 Balfour Pract. 290. 1584 Acts III 294/1.
All personis ministeris or reiddaris [etc.] … suspectit culpable of … symonie and dilapidatioun of the rentis of benefices a1585 Polwart Flyt. 623 (T).
For schismes, and symonie, that smachart wes schameit 1588 Glasg. Univ. Mun. I 383.
Registrat in the old presbytrie bookes … for his simonie insufficiencie and intrusion to the prejudice of the kirk 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Barratrie.
All men passand to Rome and byeand benefices commitis simonie, and are called barratoures 1606 Birnie Kirk-b. xix.
If they call it conquies or the penny-worth of their pecunial pryce that is but simony sold & sacriledge boght 1684 Lauder Notices Affairs II 489.
Such tacks set by ministers are declared not to be simonypersonified a1500 Colk. Sow i 105.
And two lerit men … Schir Ockir and Ser Symony a1568 Bann. MS 144b/39.
So wyisly can Ser Penny wirk And als Ser Symony his serwand