Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 3, 6–8 eire, 4 eyr, 5–6, 9 air, 6 oire, 6–7 aire, 7 eier, eyer, 5, 7– eyre. [a. OF. eire, erre, oirre masc. and fem. f. errer (see ERR v.):—late L. iterāre to journey.]
1. Itineration, circuit: in the phrase Justices in eyre (= L. in itinere on a journey), also L. justitiæ itinerantes, AF. justisis errauntz: itinerant judges who rode the circuit to hold courts in the different counties. Also Sessions in Eyre.
These justices were usually members of the superior courts, though the sheriffs sometimes performed this duty. In the year 1176, under Henry II., eighteen justices were appointed to six circuits; the practice continued with considerable irregularity as to number, period, and the matters dealt with, until the judges of ASSIZE (q.v. 12) and Nisi Prius were appointed in the year 1285 under Edw. I.
[1278. Act 6 Edw. I., Stat. Glouc. cc. 1–3 (1810), 46. E le Justices en Eire facent de ceo [etc.].
1292. Britton, I. i. § 3. Qe Justices errauntz soint assignetz.]
1297. R. Glouc. (1724), 517. The eire of justize wende aboute in the londe.
1483. Act 1 Rich. III., c. 6 § 1. Divers Fairs have been holden … by Prescription allowed afore Justices in Eyre.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., vi. (1539), 11. Alowed before justice in Eire.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 485. An especiall sessions in Eire.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 17. The Iustices in Eire, (or Itinerent, as we called them, because they vsed to ride from place to place throughout the Realme, for administration of iustice).
1768. Blackstone, Comm., III. 57. These judges of assise came into use in the room of the antient justices in eyre.
1866. Rogers, Agric. & Prices, I. iv. 71. An action before the county court, or the judges in Eyre.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., I. xi. 441. A regular system of judicial eyres.
2. The circuit court held by these officers. Also Eyre of justice, Justice eyre, Commission of Eyre.
[1275. Act 3 Edw. I., Stat. Westm. c. 18 (1810), 31. Le amerciement de tut le Conte en Eyr de Iustices.
1292. Britton, I. v. § 7. Si le article ne fut mie presenté en le autre heyre.
1300. Act 28 Edw. I., c. 5. Presentementz en Eire.]
c. 1350. in Eng. Gilds (1870), 362. At þe nexte Eyr and at þe nexte court.
1440. Sc. Acts Jas. II., § 5. That the Iustices … set their Iustice aires, and hald them twise in the ȝeir.
c. 1450. Henryson, Tale of Dog, 129. Quhilk … passis furth befoir the Justice Air.
1513–75. Diurn. Occurr. (Bannatyne Club), 51. The Governour proclaimit ane generall air throw all Scotland.
1609. Skene, Reg. Maj., 1. [They] sould be present and compeire at the Justitiars aire.
1642. J. M[arsh], Argt. conc. Militia, 36. If a Commission of Eier sit in a County, and the Kings Bench cometh thither; the Eier ceaseth.
1750. Carte, Hist. Eng., II. 121–2. This new chief justiciary, holding an eyre … in Southwark.
1779. Lloyd’s Even. Post, 20–2 Sept., 287/3. The Circuit Court of Justiciary finished the Eyre at Aberdeen.
1805. Scott, Last Minstrel, IV. xxxv. Maidens … wrung their hands for love of him, Who died at Jedwood Air.
† b. Eyre of the Forest: a circuit court held periodically by the Justices of the Forest, hence called Justices in Eyre. Obs.
1622. J. Rawlins, Recov. Ship of Bristol, Ded. in Arb., Garner, IV. 583. The … Marquis of Buckingham … Justice in Eyre of all His Majesty’s Forests.
1702. Lond. Gaz., No. 3828/3. Lord Wharton was constituted Warden and Chief Justice and Justice in Eyre of all His Majesty’s Forests.
1727–51. Chambers, Cycl., Eyre of the forest is otherwise called justice seat: which by the ancient customs was to be held every three years, by the justices of the forest journeying up and down for that purpose.
1796. Morse, Amer. Geog., II. 103.
c. The record of such a court.
[a. 1481. Littleton, Tenures, § 514. Come appiert per l’Report dun plee en le Eire de Nottingham.]
1614. Selden, Titles Hon., 262. That so should the right meaning of Sake bee, is iustified out of an old Eire.
3. attrib.
1641. Termes de la Ley, 131. Eire Justices, or Itinerant.
Eyre, obs. f. of AIR.
