jan 1, 1621 - livery

Description:

A distinctive suit of clothes given by a gentleman to his servants, in order that they might be recognised as his retainers. 1484-5 ‘The indenture to be void if Thomas [<i>Kame </i>] ... take <i>anymans leuerey </i> or clothing during the said term’, Thorpe Salvin (YRS102/147); 1555 <i>that euery one that shall not haue one my gownes ... shall haue one cote or leueraye </i>, Stanley (Th27/38); 1621 <i>8 cloakes with gould parchment lace 2 rownd about and 5 about the coller for liveryes </i>, Brandsby (NYRO44/217). In a related usage the word could be applied to provisions given to servants and by extension to the items in which these were served or the place where they were kept: 1530-1 <i>his wages weekly viij whiett lowes of the leweray bread ... iiij gallons of the leweray ayll </i>, Rievaulx (SS83/349); 1612 <i>John Graye came to serve me. I promised 4or markes wayges and a livery when I gave livereyes </i>, Brandsby (NYRO44/54); 1614 <i>j liverey coborde </i>, Stockeld (YAJ34/172); 1617 <i>in the pantry </i> ... <i>two livery pottes whitte </i>, Ripley (YAJ34/184).

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