Middle English Dictionary Entry
eire n.
Entry Info
| Forms | eire n. Also aire. |
| Etymology | AF eire, justice en eire; cp. OF erre. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. airen (2).
1.
In phrases justice in eire, justice of eire, an itinerant judge who rides the circuit to hold court in different counties.
Associated quotations
- [ (1278) Statutes Realm1.46 : E. les Justices en Eire facent de ceo, etc. ]
- [ (c1290) Britton 1 (Lamb 403)3 : Qe Justices errauntz soint assignetz. ]
- (1447) Reg.Spofford in Cant.Yk.S.23290 : Ye shall resceyve no writte..sealed under the seale of any justice save of justice in Eyre or justice assigned in the same shire where ye be shirrif.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4321 : Ne outhire Iugement ne Iayll ne Iustice of aire.
2.
A court held by such a judge; a session of such a court; eire of justice.
Associated quotations
- [ (1275) Statutes Realm1.31 : Le amerciement de tut le Conte en Eyr de Iustices. ]
- [ (c1290) Britton 1 (Lamb 403)29 : Si le article ne fut mie presenté en le autre heyre. ]
- [ (1300) Statutes Realm1.138 : Presentementz en Eire. ]
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)10647 : Þe eire of iustize wende aboute in þe londe.
- a1400 Usages Win.(Win-HRO W/A3/1)92 : At þe nexte eyr and at þe nexte court.
3.
The record of such a court.
Associated quotations
- (1447) Shillingford17 : Y sende yow a rolle yn the whiche is conteyned copies of Domus Dey, copy of Eyris, of charters and other thynges.