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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Blench(e, Blensch(e, n., a., and adv. Also: blensch, blensh(e. [Later form of Blanche, with change of vowel as in brench Branch n., hench Hanch n.]

1. n. = Blanche 1. 1588 Reg. Great S. 547/1.
To be haldin … off our soverane lord … in fie, heretage, frie uthall and blensche for evir 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Hawbert.
Be payment of ane pennie, … or sum vther dewtie, when it is asked in name of blenche 1606 Acts IV. 288/1.
Subiectis quha haldis thair landis … of oure said souerane lord in frie blenshe 1642 Orkney Rentals III. 24.
Thair is sundrie lands … halden in blensch of the Bischops of Orknay 1655 Mun. Univ. Glasg. I. 349.
[Lands] to be halden be them … in frie blenche

2. adv. = Blanche 2. 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Varda.
The keiping of the aire havand lands blenche, … perteinis to the superiour 1641 Acts V. 547/2.
Landis … to be haldin blenche of his maiestie … for yeirely payment of ane penny a1650 Row 345.
The King declares that he will have … all blench holden lands submitted to him 1688 Rec. Marischal Coll. I. 338.
And those lands only to hold blensh from the Kings most Excellent Majesty

3. adj. = Blanche 3. 1587 Acts III. 433/2.
Landis … disponit in frie tennendrie in blenche cane 1616 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II. 9.
In respect the said laird … had ane blenshe halding of his saids landis 1675 Melville Chart. 178.
Roses or blasts of horns (which are the frequent reddendoes of blench holding) 1682 Decis. Lords F. 12.
The action … , wherein he craved … the nonentry of certain blensh lands