Middle English Dictionary Entry
frank(e)lein, -in, -en n.
Entry Info
| Forms | frank(e)lein, -in, -en n. Also fraunk-, frankeling. |
| Etymology | AF fraunclein (cp. AL franchelanus, francalanus, franccolanus); prob. from ML francus free, with suffix as in OF chamber-len(c, chambre-lain. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A landowner and member of the gentry ranking immediately below the nobility; a freeman, a gentleman; ~ of toun, a free citizen, an owner of property in a town, a burgess; (b) as a personal name.
Associated quotations
a
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)821 : Vor wel may a simple frankelein in miseise him so bringe Of lute lond, wanne þer biuel such cas of an kinge.
- (c1387-95) Chaucer CT.Prol.(Manly-Rickert)A.331 : A frankeleyn was in his compaignye..An housholdere, and that a greet, was he.
- 1389 Nrf.Gild Ret.23 : For alle knyghtes, squyers, citezenis and Burgeys, fraunkeleyns, and alle trewe tyliers and men of craft.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.239 : Non erle no baroun, No oþer lorde stoute, ne fraunkeleyn of toun, Tille holy kirke salle gyue tenenement, rent, no lond.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)22.39 : As wide as þe worlde is, wonyeþ þer none Bote vnder tribut and taillage as tikes and cheorles; And þo þat bycomen cristine..Aren frankelayns and freo..And gentelmen with ihesu.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)177 : Frankeleyne [Win: ffrankelyng]: Libertinus.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)6547 : Gentil damysels..Squyers doughtres & frankelayns, To gyue hem to knyghtes & to swayns.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)946 : I beheulde a faire hovs with halles and chambres, A frankeleyn-is fre-holde.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)1071 : Marchaundes & Franklounz, worshipfulle & honorable, Þey may be set semely at a squyers table.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)2.171 : Thei be as ioculers in behauor, glotones in meite, tauerners in expense, myȝhty men or frauncleones in apparelle.
- ?a1475 PParv.(Win)173 : Frankelyng [Hrl 221: frankeleyne]: libertinus.
- c1475(c1450) Idley Instr.(Cmb Ee.4.37)2.B.1715 : The thridde was a frankelen, lieued by his lande.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)92 : To know wych be cyteseyns, Trewe burgeys, & ek fraunkeleyns.
b
- (1195) in Pipe R.Soc.n.s.695 : Radulfus Frankelein.
- (1218) Justice in Eyre R.in Seld.Soc.53247 : Maud Frankelain.
- (1230) Close R.Hen.III349 : Willelmum le Frankelein.
- (1259) Court R.Ramsey54 : Bartholomeus le Frankeleyn.
- (1285) Feudal Aids 225 : Cristiana la Fraunkeleyn.
- (1296-7) Acc.Cornw.in RHS ser.3.66121 : Et de 3d. de Rogero fraunkeleyn.
- (1306) in Webb Rec.St.Barth1.437 : Ibidem tenent Thomas Frankleyn et Robertus lefhere vnum Mesuagium et x acras terre.
- (1317) Cart.Oseney in OHS 90192 : Thomas le Frankeleyn de Couele.
- c1432 Bishop Notes in PMLA 49 (Cmb Dd.14.2)456 : William ffrankeleyn and Ioh'n Walkere, Bayllifs of Oxford..toke & lete cary a way fewel wode of þis seyd Nicholas Bysshopp.