Middle English Dictionary Entry
rag(e-man n.
Entry Info
| Forms | rag(e-man n. Also ragge-, raga-, ragemain, -mon, rag(e)ment. |
| Etymology | ON: cp. OI rōgs-maðr a slanderer, from older *v)rōgs-mannr, the first element having been confused with ME rag(ge n.; cp. AL ragemannus, ragge-. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) An accuser; the title of the statute of Edward I appointing justices to hear and determine certain specified offenses by the king's officials and others during the twenty-five years prior to Michaelmas, 1276; (b) a legal investigation leading to accusations (including false accusations); also, a document recording accusations or offenses; ~ rolle, rolle of ~.
Associated quotations
a
- (1276) Statutes Realm1.44 : Statutum de Iusticiis assignatis quod vocatur Rageman.
- (1284) Chronicon Petrob.in Camd.47 (Antq 60)96 : De aliis placitis ad rageman pertinentibus, nichil actum est.
- (1292) Plac.War.[OD col.]VI : Placita..de Rageman coram Hugone de Cressingham.
b
- (1292) Plac.War.[OD col.]382b : De hiis quae præsentata sunt in le Rageman.
- (1292) Plac.War.[OD col.]387b : Pro transgressione in le Rageman.
- (1376) RParl.2.324b : [William Latymer, Captain of Becherell, has been accused of misconduct in Britanny] sicome en une lettre faite & sealees des sealx des plusours Seignurs de Bretaigne, appellee Ragman & envoie en Engleterre a nostre Seignur le Roy dessus-dit, pluis plainement appiert. De quelle Rageman les Communes prierent d'avoir la veue en Parlement.
- (1376) RParl.2.325b : Une Enqueste y fuist fait & mys en escript & ensealees des plusours sealx des Seignurs de Bretaigne & envoiez a nostre Seignur le Roy en Engleterre, quelle Enqueste est issint appelle Rageman.
- c1450(c1405) Mum & S.(2) (Add 41666)1565 : There is a raggeman rolle þat Ragenelle hymself Hath made of mayntennance and motyng of þe peuple, Hough þay sheue at sises and sessions aboute.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)374/224 : Here a roll of ragman of the rownde tabill, Of breffes in my bag, man, of synnes dampnabill.
2.
(a) A legal document, a charter with blank spaces to be filled in by agents of the king; (b) the collection of instruments of homage and fealty made in 1291 by which the nobility and gentry of Scotland pledged allegiance to Edward I.
Associated quotations
a
- (1399) RParl.3.432b : Accordez est par le Roy & les Seignurs, qe toutes les Remembrances appellez Raggemans ou blanches Chartres..soient renvoiez a la dite Citee de Londres.
- (1399) in Rymer's Foedera (1709-10)8.109 : De Raggemannis Comburendis..Per diversa Scripta, Cartas sive Literas Patentes, vocata Raggemans sive Blank Chartres, Sigillis eorumdem Subditorum separatim consignata, [etc.].
- c1400(a1376) PPl.A(1) (Trin-C R.3.14)prol.72 : A pardoner..Brouȝte forþ a bulle wiþ bisshopis selis..He..rauȝte wiþ his rageman [vrr. ragman, Ragemon, raggeman] ryngis & brochis.
b
- (c1350) Chron.Lanercost261 : Unum instrumentum, sive cartam subjectionis et homagii..Ragman vocabatur.
- c1400 Brut-1333 (Rwl B.171)255/16 : An endenture was made of þe Scottes vnto Kyng Edward..whiche endenture þai callede his Ragemain [vr. Ragaman], in the whiche were contenede alle þe homages and feautes, ferst of þe Kyng of Scotland, and of alle þe prelates, Erles, and barons..wiþ her seals sette þeron.
- (c1420) Otterburn Chron.[OD col.]1.114 : Redditis regi & regno Scotiae juribus..et litera quae vocatur Ragman.
3.
(a) A catalogue, list, roster; (b) a game of chance in which players drew from a roll consisting of verses describing their appearance and character, each probably with a string and seal attached to it; ?also, such a game played in gambling; ~ rolle, the collection of verses used in this game; king ~, one who composed the stanzas on the roll in the game.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1450) Boothe be ware (CotR 2.23)p.228 : Pite for to here the people complayne, And riken up the ragmanne of the hole rowte.
- a1500 ABCArist.in Halliwell D.(Cmb Ff.5.48)663 : Rede on this ragmon [vrr. ragment; rolle] and rewle yow theraftur.
- c1600(?c1395) PPl.Creed (Trin-C R.3.15)180 : Þer is none heraud þat haþ half swich a rolle, Riȝt as a rageman haþ rekned hem newe.
b
- ?a1300 in Stengel MS Digby 86 (Dgb 86)67.48 head. : Ragemon le bon.
- (1377) Halmote R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.82140 : De Thoma Breuster et Ricardo de Holm quia ludaverunt ad ragement contra poenam in diversis Halmotis positam, 20 s. condonatur usque 2 s.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)8.2379 : Venus..as men drawe Of Rageman upon the chance, Sche leith no peis in the balance, Bot as hir lyketh forto weie.
- c1450 My ladyes (Frf 16)p.69 head. : Here begynnyth Ragmane roelle.
- c1450 My ladyes (Frf 16)5 : Resave..This rolle which..Kynge Ragman bad me sowe in brede..Drawith a strynge, [etc.].