Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

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

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Primage, Prymage, n.¹ [e.m.E. primage (1540), med. L. (Eng.) primagium (1297); f. as Prime-gilt n. with the suffix of Lademanage, Lastage etc.] A customary allowance by the shipper to the master (? and crew) of a ship as recompense for their care in loading and safe-keeping of the goods transported, ? orig. payable on safe delivery of the goods. Cf. Prime-gilt n. 1436 Exch. R. IV 679.]
[Et allocate eidem pro naulo et primagio omnium aliorum bonorum transmissorum ad regem de Flandria in Scociam 1616 Reg. Great S. 517/1.
Ordinavit pro ordinario lie prymage nuncupato lie prymgilt ultra hominum memoriam solvi consueto ex omnibus navibus … exonerantibus lie lossing infra dictum portum 16.. Admir. Ct. Form 63.
Primage or prymage or prime gilt [MS prince gilt] is ane dewtie dew to the poor and it mantaines them in the hospitall. It is payed be the merchand to the M^r off the shippe sexpence the tun in Ingland and 5 s. scotts in Scotland wherof the M^r gives to the poor of the towne wher he lives 12 d. off ilk tun Ib.
When a ship is fraughted out and in ther is but on primage dew Ib. 63 b.
The primage is given to the M^r for bearing of the hazard off stowing of the merchants guids and livering them a shoare without danger and generallie from all hurt and skaith the goods can get … throw the M^r and company ther fault Ib.
Yet some thinks that that primage is only payed of everie fraught abroad and not homeward Ib.
They conclude that in Scotland it wes nevir heard that ther wes any custom to give to the saillers any pairt off the primage Ib., etc.
I think when commodities are not weill conditioned and saffe but spoylled and wet ther is no primage dew 1694 Dunbar Social Life I 150.
Paying fraight for the said goods … with primage and avarage accustomed