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

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Mark, Marque, n.³ Also: marc, marq, markque, merk, merque. [AF. mark (1354), marque (1417), 14th c. F. marque, med. L. mercha (1295), marqua (14–15th c.) marque, reprisals, f. marcare (1295) to seize under letters of marque.A connection with Mark n.¹ 6 and Mark v. 3 seems possible.]

Reprisals. b. (Lettre(s of) mark, a licence to take reprisals.Originally and chiefly, authorisation granted by a sovereign to a subject who has suffered loss at the hands of a foreigner and can obtain no redress, to seize or otherwise extort from any national of the foreign country, either on the high seas or within the home country, goods to the value of what he has lost. Latterly also, a licence to carry out privateering operations by sea against a hostile nation. See also Admir. Ct. Bk. (ed.) xxvii f. 1456 Hay I. 205/11. Ib. 208/17.
Quhethir gif be way of mark a man may be enprisownyt that maid na caus of evill; that is to say,¹/₁₂ gif … a man … haldis his gudis … fra him,¹/₁₂ he gettis a lettre of leve to tak ony man of that contree … and haldis him prisoner quhill that gude be payit Ib. 220/26.
The king aw to geve letter of powar to tak mark apon thame Ib. 226/15.
Quhethir gif he [a student] mycht lefully be arrestit … for mark of that causb. (1) 1456 Hay I. 207/21.
Thus suld … princis here the parties resouns … or he grantit lettres of mark Ib. 238/10.
That thare suld na lettre of mark be gevin be na prince agains men of kirk 1487 Acts II. 178/1.
For the … doune putting of the lettre of marque gevin be the King of Romanis 1491 Conv. Burghs I. 504.
To the Archiduk of Austria … for remeid tuiching the mater of the letter of merque 1501 Reg. Privy S. I. 106/1.
A sauf conduct … to … Inglismen to cum within the realme with … merchandis … but ony impediment … lettrez of marq and contramarq nochtwithstanding 1540 Acta Conc. Publ. Aff. 496.
That he suld nocht us his lettir of marque bot aganis the Fresis allanerlie 1545 Reg. Privy C. I. 10.
Be vertew of ane letter of merk … grantit be the maist Cristin King of France 1561 Ib. 161.
The greit wrangis done … under the cullour of the lettres of markque grantit be hir majesteis progenitouris … upoun the Portingallis 1561 Admir. Ct. Bk. 199.
In cais the boundis of the principale letter of mark be transcendit the Portugallis … mon be restorit to thair haill … gudis 1561 Treas. Acc. XI. 63. 1563 Acts II. 544/1. 1566 Reg. Privy C. I. 481. 1570 Leslie 55. c1575 Balfour Pract. 626. 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV. 615. a1603 Tract. Leg. Naval. 65 b.
Ane Inglishman cled with a lettar of mark anno 1629 1642 Cuningham Journal 68.
The very first private men of warre commissionated with letters of marque against the Irish rebells 1657 Balfour Ann. II. 133.
To grant letters of marque to the toune of Edinbrughe(2) 1456 Hay I. 95/7.
Gif all lordis may graunt markis Ib. 207/32.
How suld mark be gevin aganis a citee that has na lord … atour thame?