Obs. [Identical in spelling with 16th-c. forms of BEACON, but nothing appears to be known of the word beyond what is contained in the quotations.]
1538. Elyot, Dict., Cinclidæ are bayes or parclosis made aboute the places of judgement, where men not being sutars, may stande, beholde, and here what is done and spoken amonge the juges and pledours. Such a lyke thing is at Westmynster Hall about the common place, and is called the bekens.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., III. 934/1. The kings of armes … stood in their place, which was in the bekins at the kings bench.
