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

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First published 1963 (DOST Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Halcrek, -crik, -krig, n. Also: halkrek, -creike; hallcrik, halkrik, -kirk; halkryng; halecret. [F. halecret, in 15–16th c. allecret, halcret, of uncertain origin: perh. containing Germ. hals neck.] ‘A half-suit of light plate armour, worn alike by footmen and horsemen, furnished with long tassels’ (Meyrick).Common in the period 1530–45.(a) 1516 Exch. R. XIV. 162.
Pro portatura … le halbertis, halkrekis et aliorum armorum 1533 Boece xiv. xi. 562 b.
Halcrekis and foregere was amang thame scant 1540 Acts II. 362/2.
That all vtheris of lawer rent … haif jak of plait, halkrek or brigitanis, gorget or pisane 1541 Reg. Great S. 558/2.
Reddendo … servitium 3 peditum armatorum cum lie pikkis et halcreikis in servitio forensico(b) 1517 Treas. Acc. V. 122.
The hail munitioun, viz. pikkis, halbartis [etc.] … , halcrikkis. with splentis 1533 Boece v. iii. 168 b.
He tuke his halkrik, bow and scheif Ib. ix. vi. 300 b.
Loth be his sure halcrik was vnharmyt 1542 Reg. Great S. 596/2.
Cum duobus pedestribus armatis cum lie halkirkis et pikkis 1546 Reg. Privy C. I. 62.
Warnyngis … to compeir … with wapynnis and harnes, jak of plait, halkirk, bregatynis, splentis [etc.](c) 1531 Bell. Boece I. 174.
He armit him with his halkrig, bow, and arowis 1541 Treas. Acc. VIII. 30.
For … x halkrynggis but heid gair and teslottis, … twa halkrynggis with heid gair and teslottis [etc.] 1541–2 Ib. 124.
Ressavit … xv^xx foregaris and xxj halkriggis bak and fore gair(d) 1587-99 Hume vii. 99.
Their armour cleare … .Hard halecrets, helmets, habriks and harneis light