Gaberlunzie
Encyclopedia
Gaberlunzie is a medieval
Scots
word for a licensed beggar
. The name may derive from the wallet that such people carry, but there is no other known derivation. The word appears in several of Sir Walter Scott
's books. It can be spelled gaberlunyie, since the z was originally a yogh
.
Gaberlunzies were also known as King's Bedesmen or blue gowns (the gowns were part of the alms
given by the monarch). Scott gives an account of the customs and of particular Bedesmen he knew in the introduction to The Antiquary
.
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
Scots
Scots language
Scots is the Germanic language variety spoken in Lowland Scotland and parts of Ulster . It is sometimes called Lowland Scots to distinguish it from Scottish Gaelic, the Celtic language variety spoken in most of the western Highlands and in the Hebrides.Since there are no universally accepted...
word for a licensed beggar
Begging
Begging is to entreat earnestly, implore, or supplicate. It often occurs for the purpose of securing a material benefit, generally for a gift, donation or charitable donation...
. The name may derive from the wallet that such people carry, but there is no other known derivation. The word appears in several of Sir Walter Scott
Walter Scott
Sir Walter Scott, 1st Baronet was a Scottish historical novelist, playwright, and poet, popular throughout much of the world during his time....
's books. It can be spelled gaberlunyie, since the z was originally a yogh
Yogh
The letter yogh , was used in Middle English and Older Scots, representing y and various velar phonemes. It was derived from the Old English form of the letter g.In Middle English writing, tailed z came to be indistinguishable from yogh....
.
Gaberlunzies were also known as King's Bedesmen or blue gowns (the gowns were part of the alms
Alms
Alms or almsgiving is a religious rite which, in general, involves giving materially to another as an act of religious virtue.It exists in a number of religions. In Philippine Regions, alms are given as charity to benefit the poor. In Buddhism, alms are given by lay people to monks and nuns to...
given by the monarch). Scott gives an account of the customs and of particular Bedesmen he knew in the introduction to The Antiquary
The Antiquary
The Antiquary is a novel by Sir Walter Scott about several characters including an antiquary: an amateur historian, archaeologist and collector of items of dubious antiquity. Although he is the eponymous character, he is not necessarily the hero, as many of the characters around him undergo far...
.