A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1990 (DOST Vol. VII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Repressallis, (Letters of), Letters repressallis. Also: repreysales. [Late ME and e.m.E. letters of (marc and) reprisail (1447), lettres of reprisal (1619), F. lettres de represailles (Cotgrave), med. L. littere reprisaliarum (1496 in Latham).] A license granted to a subject who has suffered loss at the hands of a subject of another state authorizing him, in the absence of redress, to take recompense by force from any subject of that state. = Letters of mark, Mark n.3 —1506 Admir. Ct. Bk. 202.
[Repressaliarum litteras] 1561 Ib. 199.
Swa that oure said souerane lady … uthirvis ingeneris just weiris or at the leist siclik letters repressalis unto the full recompance of the gudis tane 1594 Warrender P. (S.H.S.) II 240.
Satisfaction to be made to thame for thair losses, and in case of refusall that letters of repreysales be graunted
