Middle English Dictionary Entry
serǧeauntīe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | serǧeauntīe n. Also sergeantie, -jaunti(e, -geauntẹ̄, -jaunte, -g(e)ancie, sargeancie. |
| Etymology | OF serjantie, serjeantie, sergantie, AF serjancie & ML serjantia, -jeantia, -gantia, AL serjauntia, cerjantia. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Tenure of land as recompense for services or goods rendered to the king; the land held or governed under such an arrangement; graunt ~, land tenure on condition of personal service performed for the king; (b) a body of soldiers, knight's attendants, or squires in a military force; also, the class of sergeants [1st quot.].
Associated quotations
a
- [ (1371) RParl.2.306a : Les Countees d'Engleterre..furent affis a certeine Ferme, &..furent touz les Hundrez, Wapentakes, Letes, Serjancies, & Fraunchises..apporcionez a celle Ferme. ]
- (1449) RParl.5.167b : His Auncestres..have holden..the Manoir..by Graunte Sergeaunte.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.53/30,32 : Þe mede of Bolestake withoute Oxonforde..is of þe seriaunty of Gilbert of Mountes..A mede withoute Bampton..i-callid Huntmede..is of þe seriauntye of Richard de la mare.
- c1460 Oseney Reg.54/1 : Þe mede..i-called Burewege..is of þe Seriauntye of Henry de la mare.
- (1464) RParl.5.547b : This Acte..extende not..unto..eny Graunte..of the Sergancie withynne our Counties of Not. and Berk.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.595b : Provided..that neyther this Acte nor eny other Acte..extend..unto..the rent of the Sergeantie and of the small parcellz of Serjaunteez of..Notyngh. and Derb.
- (1467-8) RParl.5.605b : Provided..that neither this Acte nor eny other Acte..extend..to..Piers Baxter..of eny Graunte..as of all maner..fermes to us of Serjanties or otherwise.
- c1475 Brut-1333 (Dc 323)242/24 : Seriauntye [Rwl.B.171: Y ȝelde vp..vnto ȝow my homage..for ham alle þat holden by seriauntrye or by eny oþer maner þing of ȝow].
b
- ?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.83 : Extendours he sette forto extend þe land, Erldam & baronie how mykelle felle to þe schelde, Knyght & sergeancie als how mykelle þei helde.
- ?a1400 Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Petyt 511)13391 : Sargeancie [Lamb: Þe seriauntz..& oþere noble arbalasters..were set wyþoute þe pres].
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)11979 : An hundred & foure score, Alle armed men..Wyþoute fotmen & seriauntye [vr. sargeancie], Þat þe noumbre kan non descrye.