† ˈmurenger Obs.
Forms: α. 6 murager. β. 6–9 murenger, muringer.
[ME. murager, f. murage; for the later insertion of n cf. passenger, messenger.]
An officer whose duty it was to keep the walls of a city in repair.
| α 1506 in Munic. Corpor. Rep. (1835) iv. 2622 [The charter of Henry VII provides that the mayor and citizens of Chester, may yearly choose..two citizens to be overseers of the walls,..called Muragers.] ? 1580 in 9th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. i. 305/1 [Oath for burgesses of Great Yarmouth, for their..election of] muragers. |
| β c 1600 Webb in D. King Vale-Royall (1656) ii. 18 The special care whereof [the wall], belongeth to certain Officers yearly..elected..called the Maringers [sic], being usually, of the most antient Aldermen of the said City. 1682 Thoresby Diary (1830) I. 122 The walls [of Chester] are kept in excellent repair by the Muringers. 1815 W. Price Hist. Oswestry 86 The corporation of Oswestry consists of a mayor,..coroner, murenger, town-clerk [etc.]. 1883 in Picton L'pool Munic. Rec. I. 188 A muringer is mentioned amongst the officers in the reign of Philip and Mary. |