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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. X).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Taslet, Teslet, n. Also: taslat, -lot, taselet, taicelett, tes(s)lot, tessillat. [ME tassette a metal plate for protecting the thigh, f. OF tasse (Gmc. *taska) a purse; cf. F. tasselles the skirts of a coat. Also OF tassel a (decorative) metal plaque (cf. also C. R. Beard Dictionary of Costume and Armour s.v. Tassel), tasselet a small piece of cloth (f. L. taxillus a small die) (Wartburg). Cf. e.m.E. tasselet (1577) a small tassel.]

1. One of a series of iron plates hanging from a corslet and serving as defensive armour for the thighs. Chiefly pl. Cf. Tass(e n.²See Wallace Collection Catalogues European Arms and Armour (1962), I Glossary, s.v. Tasset, which is clearly the same word.(a) 1507 Treas. Acc. III 391.
To John Forman he gaif for vj quartaris rede to covir the kingis tasletis 1538 Treas. Acc. VII 29.
Heir followis Johne Deology party sene the turnay. … for twa elnis ½ of crammosy sating … to be ane doublat of armes witht taslatis 1539–40 Treas. Acc. VII 287.
Gevin to the Frenche armorar for ane grete taslat of harnes 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 293.
That … everie pickman [provide himself] of ane sufficient pick, corslett, heidpeace, taselettis and collet 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VI 300.
Men of … abilitie of bodye to carye pick … and the said pickmen to be provydit with corslat taicelett and heidpeace(b) 1541 Treas. Acc. VIII 30.
x halkrynggis, but heid gair and tesslottis, … twa … with heid gair and teslottis 1541 Treas. Acc. VIII 33.
Deliverit to Jakkis Leschender, armorar, to lyne the teslottis of harnes maid to his grace, vij quarteris blak sating 1598 Acts IV 169/1.
That euerie erle be armit and furnist with corslet of pruif heid peaces vanbraces teslettis and ane Spanische pik 1602 Reg. Privy C. VI 733.
[To buy from Sir Michaell Balfoure of Burleygh or James Lowrie, his depute] ane corslet with heidpeice, vanbreceis, and tesletis

2. A decorative plaque or tassel. 1538–9 Treas. Acc. VII 141.
iiij marikyn skynnis to be tua cotis … the ane was maid with tessillatis and broderit with tressis of gold 1539 Treas. Acc. VII 171.
ij marykynne skynnis and ane half to be ane cote with taslottis 1540 Treas. Acc. VII 325.
Ane skyn cote with syde taslettis 1540–1 Treas. Acc. VII 417.
To be … ane cote with taslattis, twa marykin skinnis