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

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First published 2000 (DOST Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Saxter-aithe, n. [A calque of ON séttar-eiðr ‘an oath of six’, i.e. of six compurgators; sax Sex num. B.] In Shetland: The ‘sixfold oath’ (see notes below, and quots.).‘While the sixfold or twelvefold oath might be imposed in the first instance in cases of certain serious crimes, the general rule was that the "larycht aith" was the "first offender's" oath, the sixfold being normally prescribed for persons who had "failyeit the larycht aith of befoir," and the twelvefold for those who had previously failed to "quit" themselves with the six-fold oath’ Gordon Donaldson (ed.) Shetland Sheriff Ct. iv-v, and cf. Lawricht-aith(e n.For a list of crimes for which the saxter aith was imposed, see W. Douglas Simpson (ed.) The Viking Congress, 1950 (1954) 105, 155. 1602 Shetland Sheriff Ct. (ed.) 8.
Donald Smyth is dempt to quyt himselff … with the saxter aithe in caice he failyie the larycht aithe Ib. 12.
Walter Turvous is dempt to quyt himselff and his boitsmen of the drawing of Airthour and Gutheromis at the Nes lynis … with the saxter aithe becaus he failyeit the larycht aithe of befoir Ib. 29.
Jonat Archbald is dempt to quite hirselff with the saxter aithe for the turning of ane siff and riddill for ane pair scheiris Ib. 20, 30, etc.