Middle English Dictionary Entry
hengest-man n.
Entry Info
| Forms | hengest-man n. Also henxt-, hengs-, henks-, henx-, hainx- & hens-, hein(e)s-, heince-, hins- & (late) hans(e-, hensh-, henche-. |
| Etymology | From hengest & man; ?modeled after ON; cp. OI hesta-maðr horse boy, groom. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
An attendant upon a king, nobleman, lord mayor, etc., a high-ranking servant (usually of gentle birth).
Associated quotations
- (1345-9) Wardrobe Acc.Edw.III(1) in Archaeol.3192 : Johanni Fige, Ricardo de Yatesley, & Ricardo Merser, Hengsmannis Regis.
- (1360) *Issue Roll (PRO) 224 m.20 (34 Edw.III Easter) [OD col.] : Hengestmannis domini Regis.
- (1393) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.52173/24 : Pro j doseyn blanket emptis ibidem pro ij henksmen et aliis, iij nobles xij scot.
- (1393) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.52279/19 : Item, ij henksmen, pro sotularibus.
- (1393) Acc.Exped.Der.in Camd.n.s.52280/3 : Pro factura ij gounarum pro dictis hensmen.
- (1400) *Wardrobe Acc.Hen.IV [OD col.] (MS Q.R.)95/30 : Henxtmen domlnæ.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)233 : Heyncemann [a1500: henchemanne]: Gerolocista, duorum generum.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2662 : Tak heede to þis hanseman, þat he no horn blawe.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2743 : Harlottez and hansemene sall helpe bott littill.
- (1442) Rec.Norwich 2400 : [2 gowns of white blanket for the] heynesmen [of the George].
- c1450 Alph.Tales (Add 25719)346/23 : Saladinus..callid his hansman vnto hym & said: 'þou at was wunt to bere my banor vnto batell,' [etc.].
- ?c1450 Brut-1447 (Trin-C O.9.1)462/8 : The Maire..was clothed in rede Crymsyn velwett..and his iij hensmen on iij grete Coursoures foloyng hym.
- (1454) Proc.Privy C.6.223 : Henxmen iij.
- (1463) Acc.Howard in RC 57157 : Item, payd ffor iij bowis more ffor the hynsmen.
- (1463) Acc.Howard in RC 57234 : For iij bowys for the heynsmen of my lorddys of Norfolke, ij s.
- (1463-4) RParl.5.505b : Provided also that Henshmen, Herawdes, Purcyvauntes..be not comprised in this Acte.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)233/11 : But take thou hede [to the] haynxman that he no horne blow.
- (1485) Device Coron.Hen.VII5 : Vij henxmen, clothed in dobletts of crymesyn saten, and in gownes of white cloth of gold , to folowe the King vppon .. vij coursers barehed.
- 1598(a1475) Flower & L.(Speght)252 : And every knight had after him ryding Three henshmen, on him awaiting.
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)44 : Henxmen, vi enfauntes, or more, as it shall please the Kinge; all these etyng in the halle and sitting at bourde togyder..and if these gentylmen..be wardes, then after theyre byrthes and degrees..And everyche of theym an honest servaunt to kepe theyre chambre and harneys
- 1790(1471-1472) Ordin.Househ.Edw.IV(2) (Topham)45 : Maistyr of henxmen, to shew the schooles of urbanitie..to lerne them to ryde clenely..to teche them sondry languages..This maistyr sittith in the halle next unto these Henxmen at the same boarde.
Supplemental Materials (draft)
- (1449) MSS Beverley in HMC133 : Brianus Holm..habet iiij heykes pro se j haynsman et j homine ad portandum le geton.
Note: New spelling