[cf. BLUE-COAT.]
† 1. A blue gown was: a. ‘The dress of ignominy for a harlot in the house of correction’ (Nares); b. The dress of an almoner, in Scotland of a king’s bedesman or licensed beggar. Obs.
1604. Dekker, Honest Wh., Wks. 1873, II. 165. Your Puritanicall Honest Whore sits in a blue gowne.
1787. Burns, Ep. J. Rankine, iv. It’s just the blue-gown badge an’ claithing O’ saunts.
2. One who wears this dress: in Scotland, a king’s bedesman or licensed beggar, who wore the dress as a badge. Also attrib.
1816. Scott, Antiq., xxiv. ‘Edie Ochiltree, nae maister—your puir bedesman and the king’s,’ answered the Blue-Gown. Ibid., xxxvii. Here has been an old Blue-Gown committing robbery!
