In OE. eorlscipe. [f. EARL sb. + -SHIP. In sense 2 the word is of later and independent formation.]
† 1. Manliness, bravery; nobility, lordship. Only in OE.
Beowulf, 1727 (Gr.). Eard and eorlscipe.
a. 1000. Widsith, 37 (Gr.). No hwæðre he ofer Offan eorlscype fremede.
2. The dignity or office of an earl (Hist.). Also, your earlship: used as a humorous or quasi-arch. form of address.
1792. H. Brooke, Fool of Quality, V. 268. Allow me to repair my omission by presenting to your earlship her little highness Abenaide [ed. 1 1770 has your lordship].
1828. Scott, F. M. Perth, III. 295. I thank your noble earlship.
1883. H. M. Kennedy, trans. Ten Brink’s E. E. Lit., 115. The formation of the new great earlships.
