tourel - Middle English Compendium

Middle English Dictionary Entry

tǒurel n.

Forms	tǒurel n. Also torel, tur(r)el, tureile, tirel, (in surnames) torail, thorail; pl. tourels, etc. & tourelles, torelles, turel.
Etymology	OF torel(e, torelle, tourel(e, AF turel(e, turrel, toreil; cp. ML tur(r)ella, AL torella.

(a) A turret; also in fig. context; (b) as surname.

c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)116/99 : Ich haue a castel..Wiþ sex stages ful of turels [vrr. tourelles, tureles] Wele y florist wiþ kirnels.
c1330(?a1300) Rich.(Auch)117/146 : Þai hadde so mined vnder þe walle Þat mani a griffoun gan doun falle..Fele fel out of þe turels [vrr. tyrells, torelles].
a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)10005 : Þe four torels on hei er sett, þe castel wit fra saut es gett; þas er four vertus principals, þe quilk man clepes cardinals.
?a1400(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.2 (Petyt 511)p.178 : A darte was schot to þem..It com fro þat tureile.
c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)3235 : Þe cite had foure hundre turel—Þe lest was worþ a castel.
c1400(?a1300) KAlex.(LdMisc 622)7179 : He haþ taken myne castels; He haþ afelled myne tourels [LinI: torellis; Auch: turrels].
c1450 Pilgr.LM (Cmb Ff.5.30)45 : If j make folk weene bi argumentes of a gret paleys other of a chirche that it were a torell, litel..thei wolden preyse my seyinge.