Middle English Dictionary Entry
marcher(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | marcher(e n. Also marcheire, marchour, marchier. |
| Etymology | From marchen v.(1). |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) A king or lord whose territory adjoins that of another; a neighbor; (b) a resident or inhabitant of a border district; ?also, one who lives in the vicinity of a city; (c) a region, district; province; lord ~ [see lord 5. (d)]; (d) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)8000 : There ys no lord that now ys heere, But he ys in lond a marchere To som of [the] lordys a-fore said.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)8003 : Eche of hem..wold be wyll payde To haue hym a king to whom he ys marcheyre.
b
- (1425) Proc.Privy C.3.171 : Commissaries of oure said souverein lorde þe Kyng as wel of youres, oþer þen marchiers, shuld assemble at certain dayes and places.
- (1461) Doc.in Gilbert Cal.Dublin 1309 : Yf eni corne be take into Synt Patryke ys stret..to cary to the marchowrys or to Irys men that hit be lawfull to..bryng hit to the market, [etc.].
- 1543(1464) Hardyng Chron.B (Grafton)p.242 : He dyd the commen wealthe sustene, Of marchers [Hrl: His marches] vnnumerable to mayntene.
c
- c1475(?c1451) Worcester Bk.Noblesse (Roy 18.B.22)45 : Humfrey duc of Gloucestre..brought in subjeccion..base Normandie, the castelle of Chierbourgh, the cite of Bayeux..withe alle othir forteressis and villages in that marcher.
d
- (c1260) Cart.Oseney in OHS 90253 : De dono Agnetis le Marcher.
- (1326) Close R.Edw.II619 : William Marcher.