a. (sb.) Also 7 covert-barne, -bearn. [a. AF. couverte baroun, orig. coverte de barun covered by a husband.]
A. adj. = COVERT a. 4.
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 19 § 4. Women Covertebaron except.
1623. Cockeram, Couert-barron, a married woman.
1765. Blackstone, Comm., I. 442. The woman … is therefore called in our law-french a feme-covert, foemina viro co-operta; is said to be covert-baron, or under the protection and influence of her husband, her baron, or lord.
B. sb. (Chiefly in phrase under covert-baron.) The condition of a feme covert or married woman.
1581. B. Riche, Farewell, H j b. She beyng under couert barne, your Obligation is unpleadable.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., III. vi. § 27. No woman under Covert-Baron was lyable to pay it.
1675. Crowne, Country Wit, IV. 68. Say you are my wife, and plead covert-bearn.
† b. Said (humorously) of the position of a married man: cf. next. Obs.
1603. Florio, Montaigne, II. xvii. (1632), 364. To put himselfe under covert-baron, he tooke him a wife from out that place.
1638. Brome, Antipodes, II. vii. Who dares trust A Ladyes husband, who is but a Squire, And under covert-barne?
1664. Butler, Hud., II. ii. 117/703. Impatient Grizel Has drub’d her Husband, with Bulls pizzel, And brought him under Covert-Baron.
