Obs. exc. local. Forms: 1–2 wicnere, 3 wikenere, -are, 5–6 wig(e)ner, 6– wickner. [OE. wícnere, f. wícnian, f. wíce WIKE sb.] An official; in spec. use (see quots. 1574).

1

c. 1000.  Ags. Gloss., in Haupt’s Zeitschrift (1853), IX. 453. Dispensator,… wicnere.

2

1155.  Charter, in Anglia (1884), VII. 220. Swa ful & swa ford swa mine aȝene Wicneres hit sechan scolden.

3

c. 1205.  Lay., 6704. He sende word bi his beste wikeneren. Ibid., 18175. Imong þat he king wæs: & his wikenares chæs.

4

1391–2.  Duchy of Lancaster Ministers’ Acc., 288/4734 (P.R.O.). In alloc[acione) j p[re]pos[iti] j messor[is] j. collector[is] et iiij Wik[enariorum] videl[ice]t de Gymynham Southreppes Trunch et Monesle.

5

1485.  in C. M. Hoare, Hist. E. Angl. Soke (1918), 180. Wegenarius. Ibid. (15[?]), 132. Ye wigners of Gymi[n]ghm, Trunche, Southrepps, Monisley, & Trymi[n]ghm.

6

1574.  in Orig. Papers Norf. & Norwich Archæol. Soc. (1923), XXI. III. 386. Agnes Swan widdow … payeth to ye Wicknr of Sydestrond 2s 9d for & in consideracon of rent of Assize, common helpe, moueable rents & other Customes and services. Ibid., 387. There is a wickner Chosen eu’ry yeare in eu’ry towne through ye Soken & during his yeare his duty is to warne ye Courte & Leete for ye towne where he is chosen wicknr & to warne ye Tennants upon warneing given to him by ye Hayward to doe their workes. Ibid., 388. And further the said wickners office is to distreyne within the towne where he is wicknr. [Ibid. The duties of the modern wickners of the several parishes within the Soke of Gimingham are limited to the periodical collection and payment of certain small rents and fines due to the lord of the manor.]

7

1614.  in C. M. Hoare, E. Angl. Soke, 132. To goe Wykner for this yere to come. Ibid. (1633), 343. I doe also put the sayd Tho: Playford in authoryty to serve as wickner for my howse Southwood in Northrepes. Ibid. (1719), 132. We chuse Mary Calk widdow to serve ye office of wickner for ye yeare ensuing.

8