| 释义 |
ˈbyrlawman
Also byerlaw-, birlaw-, berlaw-, byrelaw-, and burley-, q.v.
[f. prec. + man: cf. the Norse form there cited.]
An officer appointed at a Court-leet for various local duties, as the framing and execution of byrlaws, looking after nuisances, administration of justice in minor matters, arbitration in agricultural disputes, etc. etc. Also occas. called bierlaw-grayves (see greave).
This still survives locally in Scotland and the north of England under various forms, e.g. bourlawman, burleyman (also burlie bailie), birleyman, q.v. for further examples.
1432Ingleby Arncliff Manor Court Rolls (per Rev. J. C. Atkinson) Juratores elegerunt in officium de Birlawmen John North et Rob. Phelipson. 1477–8Ibid. Elegerunt Joh. Hardwyke et Joh. Jacson Bierlaw-grayves [explan. in Latin custodes plebisciti] pro anno futuro, et jurati sunt. 1521Ibid. That no bruester shall sell anie aile but according to the price of the cuntrie, and at the sight of the Bierlaymen. 1588Ibid. That euerie one shall comme to the byerleys & other common workes after warning be gyven them eyther by constable or byerley men vpon payne of euerie defawte ivd. 1552–1584Manch. Court-leet Rec. in Athenæum 2 Aug. (1879) 146 Byrlamen, birlamen. 1595Ibid., Berlawmen [fined for suffering swine to go up and down the street unyoked]. 1591Acc. Common Lands Rotherham ibid. 9 Aug., To the byer law-men for casting open closes according to our custome, 2s. 1799J. Robertson Agric. Perth 40 Sworn appraisers or valuers (called Byrelawmen)..are called mutually by each party, to settle disputes between landlord and tenants, or between one tenant and another. 1875Lanc. Gloss. (E.D.S.) 62 Burly-man, an officer appointed at a court-leet to examine and determine respecting disputed fences. |