1. rudis (Latin entry by Sir Thomas Elyot 1538)

   Rudis, a rodde or yerde, whiche was gyuen to sworde players, whan they came to. lx. yeres olde, in token that they were sette at libertie. sometyme lybertie frome labour.

2. rudis (Latin entry by Thomas Thomas 1587)

   Rudis, is, f. g. A rod or yard that was giuen to sword players at threescore years of age, in token that they were set at libertie or dischargd and released from that exercise. Lampridius writeth that sword plaiers vsed to play with such rods or swords rebated: it is sometime taken for libertie from labour, a discharge.

© Feb. 1999