> as lemmas

1586 E. Hoby tr. M. Coignet Polit. Disc. Trueth xlviii. 232 It greatly grieued him that the gentlemen of his Realme, gaue themselues no more to studie, and learning, to the ende he mought haue prouided for them the cheefe offices of the long robe [Fr. des principaux offices de robbe longue].

1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. viii. lii. 231 The first man of the long robe [Fr. le premier Romain de longue robbe; L. primus togati generis] that deuised parks as well for these bores, as for other deere and sauage beasts, was Fulvius Lippinus.

1642 G. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS (Hist. MSS Comm.) (1899) I. 292 The Houses..have likewise appointed a Committee of the long robe to declare how the King ought..by the law to pass those Ordinances.

1680 Sober Disc. Honest Cavalier 6 I believe there never was more worthy and Loyal Men under the Long Robe, than there is in this Age.

1712 J. Arbuthnot Law is Bottomless-pit xii. 21 They were the Aversion of the Gentlemen of the Long Robe, and at perpetual War with all the Country Attorneys.

1736 J. A. Purves Law-visions iii. 50 It was they that put it there, on purpose to disparage a Member of the Long-robe.

1762 S. Foote Orators i. 19 The two orders of the long robe next demand our attention.

1806 Trial Ld. Melville 222 He did not hesitate to declare that..he should be supported by the long robe in his opinion.

1812 Sporting Mag. 39 42 A source of much profit to the gentlemen of the long robe.

1875 Punch 25 Dec. 266/2 The long-lived gentlemen of the surplice and the long robe.

1921 Times 21 June 9/4 The large number of gentlemen of the long robe who..served the state with fidelity and success.

1989 Sydney Morning Herald (Nexis) 24 Aug. 27 A place on the legal sub-committee alongside notable gentlemen of the long robe.