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.
Casch(i)elawis, n. [Of obscure origin.] An illegal instrument of torture (known only from the passages quoted).1596 Crim. Trials I. 375.
That the said Alesoun wes, be vehement tortour of the caschielawis quhairin sche was kepit be the space of fourtieaucht houris, compellit to mak the said pretendit confessioune Ib. 376.
He being kepit in the caschielawis ellewin dayis and ellewin nychtis 1599 Reg. Privy C. VI. 49.
[Complaint by John Freir of Edinburgh that Patrick Fleming] patt him to tortour in ane instrument nameit the caschielawis, and held him thairin the space of twa houris, drawing his body, nek, armes, and feit togidder within the boundis of ane span [etc.] 1607 Acts IV. 396/2.
[Patrick, Earl of Orkney, indicted for using] novo et inusitate crudelitatis tormento a se invento vulgo lie caschelawes
