[f. CLERK sb. + -SHIP.]
† 1. The clerical order, the clergy. Obs. rare.
c. 1205. Lay., 10203. Þer ouer ærchebiscopes þat clærcscipe to rihten.
2. The office or position of a clerk: a. Eccl.
1488[?]. Plumpton Corr., 66. That my brother … myght have … the clarkship, trustyng to God he should please the parishioners.
1670. G. H., Hist. Cardinals, I. III. 90. To dispose of what Benefices, Clerkships, Chaplainships … fall within their several Churches.
1720. Swift, Fates Clergymen. He sold the clarkship of his parish, when it became vacant.
b. (see CLERK 5, 6.)
1531. in W. H. Turner, Select. Rec. Oxford, 100. The Clerkeschypp of the markett.
1648. C. Walker, Hist. Independ., I. 168. The Clerk-ship of the Assize in Norfolk.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., 88 (R.). Which Thomas [Talbot] being promoted to the Clerkship of the Records in the Tower of London.
1871. Carlyle, in Mrs. Carlyle’s Lett., I. 247. We got him … into some small clerkship.
1888. Daily News, 19 Sept., 6/4. An account of French clerks, and how they are prepared for the career of clerkship, is commenced in this number [of the Office].
3. Book-learning, scholarship. arch.
1648. Goodwin, in Jenkyn, Blind Guide, Pref. A iij. My defect … of Clerkship.
1672. Marvell, Reh. Transp., I. 5. The Laiety [need] no more Clerkship than to save them from Hanging.
1829. Q. Rev., XXXIX. 370. His clerkship … would hardly, in old times, have saved a felon from the gallows.
1841. D’Israeli, Amen. Lit. (1867), 112. The more learned who displayed their clerkship by their Latinity.
4. The function of an office clerk; writing with good penmanship and orthography.
1550. MS. Acc. St. John’s Hosp. Canterb. Payd to Ryve for clarkis shyppe iiijs.
1610. W. Folkingham, Art of Survey, I. i. 2. The Symboliographie or Clarke-ship, and penning of the Suruey.
1710. W. Mather, Yng. Man’s Comp. (1727), 3. To know when rightly to use [small letters], and when [capitals], is the first step towards good Clerkship.
