livery

1) 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 [Kame] ... take anymans leuerey or clothing during the said term’, Thorpe Salvin

1531 To Umfrey my brother my levera jakett, Kirkham

1555 that euery one that shall not haue one my gownes ... shall haue one cote or leueraye, Stanley

1621 8 cloakes with gould parchment lace 2 rownd about and 5 about the coller for liveryes, Brandsby. 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 his wages weekly viij whiett lowes of the leweray bread ... iiij gallons of the leweray ayll, Rievaulx

1612 John Graye came to serve me. I promised 4or markes wayges and a livery when I gave livereyes , Brandsby

1614 j liverey coborde, Stockeld

1617 in the pantry ... two livery pottes whitte, Ripley.

dates 1484-1485 1530-1531 1531 1555 1612 1614 1617 1621

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