Obs. In 5–6 spare, sparr(e, 6 sper-, spear-, speyr. [Irregular var. of SPARTH1.] A long-handled axe; a soldier armed with this.
c. 1440. Eng. Conq. Ireland (Rawl. MS.), 17. Speris and sparris. Ibid., 83. He … broght two Spares faste on his shelde.
1515. St. Papers Hen. VIII., II. 5. The armye of every region excede not 200 sperys and 600 kerne. Ibid. (1534), 185. 8 score fotmen, called kern, 10 scor spearys, callid gallagloghis; which 10 score sparris amountith to 20 score men. Ibid. (1543), III. 444. Ther footemen … having every of them his weapon, callyd a sparre, moche like axe of the Towre, and they be named galloglasse.
1600. Dymmok, Ireland (1843), 7. He is named a spare of his weapon so called, 80 of which spares make a battell of Galloglass.
attrib. 1539. St. Papers Hen. VIII., III. 142. His armie … be but chorles and plowmen, and … his sparr men went from hym.
