We use cookies to enhance your experience on our website. By clicking 'continue' or by continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. You can change your cookie settings in your browser at any time.

Continue
Find out more
roberdesmen (1331)
Cite this entry

Browse the Dictionary

    Loading...

roberdesmen (1331)

Cite this entry
 
  FEW: ∅ Gdf: ∅ GdfC: ∅ TL: ∅ DEAF:  rober (roberdesmen)  / robert (*)  DMF: ∅ TLF: ∅ OED:  Roberdsmen n.  MED:  Robert n. (robertes men)  DMLBS: ∅
ls(loanword: M.E. )
le

The presumed etymology of the word as Robert's men remains unexplained, although an association of the name Robert with robber seems possible (cf. OED roberdsmen n.).

s. pl.

occupationvagrant robbers, marauders: 
( 1331 )  diverses roberies, homicides et felonies ont esté faitz einz ces heures par gentz qi sont appellez roberdesmen, wastours et draghlacche  Stats i 268
( 1376 )  Endroit des fortz rybaudes qi vont wakerantz par le paiis soit l'estatut de Wyncestre [...] et les autres estatutz de roberdesmen etc. sur ceo faitz, tenuz et gardez  Rot Parl1 ii 332
( 1383 )  [...] qe l’estatutz [...] de roberdesmen et drawelacches soient fermement tenuz  Stats ii 32

[gdw]

This is an AND2 Phase 5 (R-S) entry. © 2018-21 The Anglo-Norman Dictionary. All rights reserved. Funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council of the United Kingdom.
roberdesmen