Obs. Also 4–5 lithe, lythe. [Of somewhat uncertain origin; most prob. a. ON. lýð-r people, vassals collectively (see LEDE); but it may wholly or partly be a use of LITH sb.3 1.] People, subjects, vassals. Only in alliterative phrases. (Cf. LEDE 1 b.)
a. 1300. Cursor M., 13165. Noþer i ask þe lith na land.
c. 1300. Havelok, 2515. Lond and lith, and oþer catel.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 194. Þer wille wille not be went, ne lete lond ne lith [Fr. tere ne tenement].
1357. Lay Folks Catech., 252. In cas that we have … Wittandly and willfalli gere our euen cristen … falsly be desesed of land or of lithe.
c. 1420. Anturs of Arth., liii. (MS. Douce). Here I gif Sir Galerone … Al þe londes and þe lithes fro lauer to layre.
c. 1440. Bone Flor., 841. Who schall us now geve londes or lythe, Hawkys, or howndes?
1456. Sir G. Haye, Law Arms (S.T.S.), 148, I am lyke to tyne up all, bathe … land, lythe, and place.
