Middle English Dictionary Entry
amercen, amercy v.
Entry Info
| Forms | amercen, amercy v. |
| Etymology | AF amercier (from the phrase a merci). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
Law (a) To fine (sb.) 'at the mercy', i.e. at the discretion, of the court; impose a penalty; -- constr.: for, of (an offence); at, in (a certain amount); after (the law), according to; (b) to fine (a surety); forfeit (bail).
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1215) in Stubbs Select Chart.291 : Ut liber homo amercietur pro parvo delicto secundum modum delicti. ]
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.77 : What brothir or sister trespas [aȝenes] yes ordenaunces thries, and þer-of ben amercie by þe bretheren, he shalle lese þe fraternite.
- c1400(c1378) PPl.B (LdMisc 581)6.40 : Þowgh ȝe mowe amercy [C: ȝe amercyn; vrr. amercen, amercieþ] hem, late mercy be taxoure.
- (1413-9) Doc.in Bk.Lond.E.226/30 : The same Officers amercied the forsaid tenantes in ix marcs.
- (1418) Grocer Lond.(Kingdon)118/21 : He that is than warnyd by the Bedel and comyth nouȝt shalle been amersyd for that defaut.
- (1432) RParl.4.403a : As is conteyned in ye Statut of the grete Chartre..yat there should no man ben amerced bote after the quantite of his trespas.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)11 : Amercyn [vr. Amercyyn] yn a corte or lete: Amercio.
- (1443-4) *Doc.Maldon : For a withdrawe of Courte A fre man shall be amerced at iijd And a foreyn at vjd.
- (1444) Paston2.66 : Peraventure I shulde be amercied in the Kyngges Courte.
- (1447) RParl.5.138b : That the Justice or Commissionere..have power, by his discretion to amerce the Sherrefs or Sherref beyng in defaut.
- (1450) RParl.5.202a : Alwey forsen, that no man be amercyed for any sute bygonne by hym [etc.].
- c1460 Oseney Reg.43/26 : If they..be amercyd agaynste me or my heyres or my Baylyffes..all þe mercys and merciamentes..shall be of þe same chanons.
- (1463) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.66 : Amercyd aftir the Coursse of lawe.
- (?1469) Paston (Gairdner)5.5 : Thoo that ben possessioners shall at the said court be amersid.
- (1470) Doc.in HMC Rep.5 App.528b : What master and meynye that lakketh of the seide ordinaunce..be they amerced at 12d.
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)78 : At a sessions or a shire day, to endite or amercie youre pore bestialle peple.
- c1425 Wycl.Antichr.(2) (Dub 245)p.cxliii : Antecrist & hisen han wiþ hem men in lawe for fees to amercy þe cely puple wiþouten any mercy.
- a1500(?c1378) Wycl.OPastor.(Ryl Eng 86)417 : Bischops & archidekenes wiþ þer officials and denes shulden not amersy pore men.
- (a1500) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8559 : Iffe..he apper not..he schall be amercyd be ye aferyng of xij men.
b
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)65 : Be the same forfeture awarded att eche distresse vpone hym maad after the ferste meinprise amercyed.
- c1436 Ipswich Domesday(2) (Add 25011)93 : Ȝif he make defaute and suffre his ferst borghis to be amercied, be it awarded that he be putt..by viij borghwys to answeryn.
2.
To punish (an offence) by imposing a fine.
Associated quotations
- c1450(1410) Walton Boeth.(Lin-C 103)74 : Vnlawful quarell oweth to ben amersed.
- (1475) Doc.in Sur.Soc.8527 : The Mylne bryge is defectyffe..whar for, bot it mendyd be Martynmes, we amarce it xl s..the fotman's cawse be for William Chawe dore is defectyffe..we amercy it xij d.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- c1225 Wor.Bod.Gloss.(Hat 115:Pope)625/63 : Amansumodon: amerseden.
Note: New spelling
Note: ?sense
Note: ? amercen; ?cp. OE maersian per MP