Middle English Dictionary Entry
peu(e n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | peu(e n.(1) Pl. peu(e)s, puwes, puis. |
| Etymology | Prob. OF puiee, puïe, 'balcony, balustrade, parapet, etc.' |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A bench-like wooden seat, frequently enclosed, for worshipers in a church; ?also, a prie-dieu [quot.: (1406)]; ~ garnet, hinge to pew doors.
Associated quotations
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)7.144 : Among wyues and wodewes ich am ywoned sitte Yparroked in puwes.
- (1406) Wardrobe Acc.Philippa in Archaeol.67188 : j superaltar et j pewe.
- (1427-8) Rec.St.Mary at Hill67 : Also payd for certeyne pavynge & mevynge of pewes in the cherche, vij s. ix d.
- (1428-9) Rec.St.Mary at Hill71 : Also for makyng of a pewe in seint kateryns chapell, vij s. j d.
- (1447) Seat in Archaeol.5397 : Item, for mendyng of a pew next the chirche door.
- (1453) *Will Wm.Wyntringham (Lambeth) [OD col.] : Et volo quod in muro ad sedile vocatum anglice pewe nuper dicte Katerine fiat scriptura sculpta in auricalco ex opposito sepulturam meam.
- (1457) Acc.St.Michael Cornhill in Camd.102174 : Item, payd for an henge for Russells wyfes pewe, iiij d.
- (1457) Seat in Archaeol.5399 : [The church-wardens shall..] set bothe ryche and pore yn the sayd chyrche in ther pews yt longythe.
- (1459) Acc.St.Michael Cornhill in Camd.102174 : Item, for amendynge of ij menes pewes and j womans pew, with j d. for naill and candell, vij d.
- (1465-66) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.31398 : For makyng of the Chirchyng pewe, viij d.
- (1467) Acc.St.Michael Cornhill in Camd.102174 : Item, payed for wode and cole, and for amendyng of the lede over my lady Stokkers pew, j d. 1/2. Item, payed to a smyth for makyng of a lok to maister Stokkers pew, viij d.
- (a1470) Malory Wks.(Win-C)907/28 : He founde a preste redy at the awter, and on the ryght syde he saw a pew closed with iron.
- (1470) Acc.St.Michael Cornhill in Camd.102175 : Item, payde amendyng of the puys in the chirche, ij d.
- a1475 Russell Bk.Nurt.(Hrl 4011)917 : Prynce or Prelate..or any oþer potestate, or he entur in to þe churche, be it erly or late, perceue all þynge for his pewe þat it be made preparate, boþe cosshyn, carpet, & curteyn, bedes & boke, forgete not that.
- (1483-85) Acc.St.Andrew Hubbard in BMag.32153 : Item, paid for a payre of pew garnettes, viij d.