Hist. Forms: 5 turkepler, twrkepler, 6 turkeplyer, Turkeiplier, Turcuplyar, 6–7 Turcoplier, 8– Turcopolier. [ad. med.L. turcopolerius (Statutes of Order Hospitallers, xix. 7), also -ārius, f. Turcopolus: see prec. In F. Turcopolier, OF. turcoplier, Turcupler: see -IER 2.] The commander of the turcopoles or light-armed soldiers of the order of St. John of Jerusalem (later of Rhodes, and Malta).
1481. Cely Papers (Camden), 60. My loorde and the turkepler goys to the Rodys togyddyr. Ibid., 63. Twrkepler.
1527. Sir R. Weston, Lett. to Wolsey, 12 April. The Turkeplyer hath evermore bene wont to succede the master of Sainct Johns in his rome.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 204. The Lorde Master appoynted the Prior of Rome and the Turcuplyar of England to be Capitaynes of this enterprise. Ibid. The Turkeiplier with .vi. English knyghtes were appoynted to defende the Molle or Peere at the hauen mouthe.
1799. Hakluyt, Voy., II. I. 83. Sir Iohn Bourgh Turcoplier of England, chiefe captaine of the succours of the sayd posterne of England.
a. 1648. Ld. Herbert, Hen. VIII. (1649), 461. They never attained higher dignity then the Turcoplier or Captains place.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xxii. 231. Shelly … went … to Malta, to establish his office and dignity of Turcopolier for the English nation.
1788. trans. Bisani’s Pict. Tour Europe, etc., 20. The different Nations of which the Order is composed … have each of them chiefs, who are here called Piliers…. The Pilier of Germany is Grand Chancellor; and that of England, Turcopolier, or General of Infantry.
1837. Dowden, Shelley, I. 1. Sir Richard as English Grand Prior enjoying the eminent title of Turcopolier.
