Bailies

/ˈbeɪliz/ noun

Definition

Plural of bailie; multiple Scottish magistrates, town officers, or feudal officials with similar administrative and judicial authority.

Etymology

Simple plural of 'bailie' from Old French 'bailli,' which evolved into a distinctly Scottish term for local officials.

Kelly Says

In medieval Scottish towns, bailies were the backbone of local government—they represented the town's interests to nobles and nobles' interests to townspeople, making them essential diplomats as well as officials.

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