green wax, ˈgreenwax Obs. exc. Hist.
Sealing-wax of a green colour; hence b. A seal of green wax, such as was affixed to documents delivered by the Exchequer to sheriffs. c. An estreat or other document bearing this seal; also process of green wax. d. The fines or amercements exacted in accordance with such a document.
| [1299 Act 27 Edw. I, Stat. de Finibus c. 9 Nomina omnium qui..debita per viridem ceram ab eis exacta solverunt.] 1377–8 Durham Acc. Rolls (Surtees) 586 In soluc. facta vicecomiti Northumbr. pro le Grenewax, 13s. 4d. c 1460 Towneley Myst. xxx. 284 Rasers of the fals tax, And gederars of greyn wax. 1461 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 2, I trust to God for to gett you downe your greene wax if that I may, thof it cost you mony. c 1500 God Speed the Plough 69 in P. Pl. Crede (1867) 71 Then commeth the grenewex which greveth vs sore, With ronnyng in reragis it doth vs sorowe Inough. 1523 Fitzherb. Surv. 28 The whiche afterwarde is estreyted agayne and sende downe to the shiryffes of euery countie..and it is called grene waxe. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 124/1 Hugh Pateshull, treasuror of the excheker, which was treasuror of the greenewax, or of the seale. 1613 Sir H. Finch Law (1636) 487 Of Sherifes and greene waxe. 1618 in Crt. & Times Jas. I (1849) II. 61 Sir Thomas Edmondes is in concert with the duke, to farm the green wax, as they call it, or the seal of the exchequer. 1668 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 76 A processe of green wax issued to the Sheriff of Sligo for {pstlg}300 arreares of rent to his Majestie. 1747 Lond. Gaz. No. 8626. 1/1 All Manner of Fines, Forfeitures and Sums of Money, commonly called Green Wax Monies. |