Middle English Dictionary Entry
markis n.
Entry Info
| Forms | markis n. Also markeis, markesse, merkeis, marquis, marques, merques, merquois & marchis, marchas, marches, (error) maches. |
| Etymology | OF marchis, marcheis, marcis, marceis, marquis, marcois. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An English nobleman between the ranks of duke and earl [orig. the ruler of a border area]; also, in titles; (b) a nobleman of France or Italy, who was usually lord or governor of a territory, town, etc.; also, a Tartar nobleman; also, in titles; (c) ?as surname.
Associated quotations
a
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)5171 : Repeired is þerl sir Tirri, Wiþ him..sir Gij, Herhaud of Ardern, þe gode marchis.
- c1330(?c1300) Guy(1) (Auch)5889 : To Lorein went þe douke Loer, Þat wiþ worþschipe dede kepe þer Herhaud of Arderne, þe marchis.
- (1399) RParl.3.451a : The Answers of..the forsayd Ducs of Aumarle, Surr', and Excestre, Markys, and of the Erles of Salesbury and Gloucestre ware herd.
- (1444) RParl.5.73a : William Burley, Speker for the said Communes..recomended to oure said Soveraigne Lord the Kyng, and..my saide Lorde the Marques of Suff'.
- (1447-8) in Willis & C.Cambridge 1401 : Item, of monee to be receved of the gift of the marchas of Suffolk, dclxvj li. xiij s. iiij d.
- (c1447) Let.Oxf.in OHS 35260 : To..þe Marquois of Suthfolk..we recommend us unto ȝowr gud lordschip.
- 1448 *Glo.Chron.C (Arms 58:Kooper)f.144v : Of many hit is itolde vs of the contectus and enmyte of Ethelred Westsaxonus kyng and of Richard marchis.
- (c1450) RParl.5.394a : In case the seid Marquoys died..then the seid Alice..shuld have..the warde and kepyng of the..Heire unto his full age.
- (1451) RParl.5.226a : Please hit youre Highnesse to..ordeyne..that..non issue of him..opteine nor enherite the Name or Estate of Duke, Marquys, or Erle.
- (a1464) Capgr.Chron.(Cmb Gg.4.12)241 : In this same ȝere..Ser Robert Ver, erl of Oxforth, was mad markeis of Dulyn, in Erlond.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)1012 : Duke of þe blode royalle, beshoppe, Marques, & erle coequalle.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)1049 : Bisshoppes, Merques, vicount, Erle goodly, May sytte at ij messez.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)472 : In whiche parliamente a new dignite was create not seene in Ynglonde afore that tyme; For the kynge, willenge to preferre the erle of Oxenforde, made hym markesse of Oxenforde.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) Ctn.(Hrl 2261)473 : The seide markesse sholde receyve of hym towarde his costes by v yere folowynge in every yere v m marke.
- a1500 Sarum BPrayer(2) (Sal 148)225* : We shalle make oure prayers to God besechyng his mercy..For oure soverayne lorde the kyng..and alle other lordes, dukes, merkeises, herles.
b
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)6.417 : Albericus the markys [Higd.(2): markesse; L marchio] put out þe Sarsyns.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.64 : A markys whilom lord was of that lond.
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.772 : The mayden sholde ywedded be Vnto the markys of Saluce anon.
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.177 : Him þan wille we say, who is moste valiant..þe marchis of Mounfraunt..Now is þe marchis turned to ȝour wille.
- ?a1425 Mandev.(2) (Eg 1982)114/20 : Þe first company es of dukes, erles, markysez [Man.(1): Marquyses], and amyrals.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2950 : Sir Gawayne..Metes þe maches [read: marches] of Mees.
- 1447 Bokenham Sts.(Arun 327)1227 : [T]wyx Naplys, that tyme, and Teracyne, In a wode of the Markeys of that cuntre, Two hermytys dwellyd.
c
- (1298) Doc.in HMC Var.Col.7232 : Thoma Le Marchys.
- (1324) Pat.R.Edw.II456 : William le Markeys, fitheler.