Middle English Dictionary Entry
bachel(e)rie n.
Entry Info
| Forms | bachel(e)rie n. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
The youth of a country, or a band of youths, eligible for knightly service or contest; the class of squires.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)1702 : Þo he adde imad him a vair ost of þis ȝonge bachelerie, He com aȝen in to þis lond.
- c1330(?a1300) Arth.& M.(Auch)4089 : Her schal com a bachelrie, Of þe to haue cheualrie & of þe to ben made kniȝt.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)25543 : This ȝonge Bachelerye..these ȝonge men..Gaweyn thus to Arthewr spak..'to ȝow we comen..of ȝow to taken the ordre of knyht.'
- a1475(a1450) Tourn.Tott.(Hrl 5396)25 : Wyt wold i, Whych of all þys bachelery Were best worthy To wed hur to hys fere.
- a1475(a1450) Tourn.Tott.(Hrl 5396)147 : Þer were all þe bachelerys of þat contre..þayr baners were ful bryȝt.
2.
That part of an armed force consisting of warrior knights or of knights as distinct from noblemen; also, an armed force, a host, soldiery.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)4095 : Icholle vre ost eche & vre bachelerye, Wiþoute archers & votmen, wiþ tuo þousend hors ywrye.
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)5185 : Adelwolf is sone he sende mid vair bachelerye To winne kent & estsex.
- c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)2660 : He ofsent his baronye And ek al his bachelrye.
- a1450(c1410) Lovel.Merlin (Corp-C 80)12255 : His pore bachelerye gat often gret goodis.
- a1500(1422) Yonge SSecr.(Rwl B.490)129/13 : The Plente of his bachelerie was so grete, that al the campany of the londe wolde not Suffice har tentes and Paueillons to Piche.
3.
The body of knights in attendance upon a superior.
Associated quotations
- (c1395) Chaucer CT.Cl.(Manly-Rickert)E.270 : This roial markys richely arrayed Lordes and ladyes in his compaignye..And of his retenue the bachelrye.
- a1450 SLeg.Suppl.Bod.(Bod 779)372/188 : Þe king in euerwik gan a gret feste holde of erlus & of barouns, of knyȝtus þat werin bolde; paulin..to-fore þe bachilrye þese wordus seyde [etc.].
4.
Chivalric qualities, knighthood.
Associated quotations
- c1325(c1300) Glo.Chron.A (Clg A.11)3963 : Þe kniȝtes atyled hom..to prouy hor bachelerye, Some wiþ launce & some wiþ suerd.
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Mcp.(Manly-Rickert)H.125 : This Phebus..was flour of bachelrye As wel in fredom as in chiualrye.