English pale

English

Proper noun

the English pale

1. (historical) The town of Calais and its surroundings under English rule, from 1347 to 1558. [from 15th c.]
   • c. 1541, The Chronicle of Calais, London, published 1846:

     The xviij. of June came v c. Almayns out of Flandars into the Englyshe pale, and there taried the kyng's comynge.

   • 2008, David Grummitt, The Calais Garrison, page 5:

     In 1450 the English Pale stretched eighteen miles from near Wissant in Picardy to Gravelines in Flanders.

2. (historical) The parts of Ireland under English jurisdiction. [from 16th c.]