Some writers have tried to confuse a debate by claiming that “unicorn” was not an English word in 1611, and that the KJV translators “transliterated” it. However, Criminal Trials and Other Proceedings...in Scotland...During the Reigns of King James the Fourth and Fifth demonstrates this was not the case. It was a word brought over from Latin long before 1611.
Aug. 20 [1488]—Item, Quhen þe King paſt to Laneríke to þe Ayre, gevin him ſelf xxti Vnicornis.
The Unicorn was a gold coin struck during the reign of James III, which has the figure of an unicorn on it (yes, the mythical one, supporting a shield with the Scottish arms).
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