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

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First published 1951 (DOST Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Fens, Fence, n. [ME. fens (c 1330), fence, abbrev. of Defens n.]

1. Defence, defending. 1375 Barb. xx. 384.
His face … That for defalt of fens so was To-fruschit in-to placis ser a1400 Leg. S. xxxvi. 441.
He … agayne Errode na fence wald ma c1420 Wynt. iv. 1884 (W).
The armouris and the wappinnis all That to thare fens wes like to fall 1568 Lauder Minor P. i. 585.
God … him bereft from all his warldlie wrak For ony fence the churlysche carll could mak 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i. xxxiv. § i.
Robbery and oppression are crimes, against which there can be no fence

b. In phr. offens, with doublet, house, man, tour. c1420 Wynt. vi. 2002 (W).
Makbeth … set him for his gret powere, Ane hous of fens to mak of weire Ib. ix. 2076 (R).
The hous off fens of Dalwolsy 1429 Acts II. 18/2.
That ilk ȝeman … haif a gude doublat of fence or ane habergeone 1460 Fam. Rose 135.
To fund, big, ande vpmak a toure of fens, with barmkin ande bataling c1475 Wall. iv. 479, Ib. v. 1095.
Few men of fens was left that place to kepe

2. A legal arrest of goods or lands. 1526 Carnwath Barony Ct. 30.
It was appreifit … [that] the landis of Newmanis vas put sufficientlie vnder my l. fens be Vilȝem Elder my l. offesar 1527 Ib. 43 b.
Sindry restmentis & fencis sic as thai aw to tyne apon law 1536 Crosraguel Chart. I. 99.
Quhilk corn was reist and under fens for his maylland dewiteis of the said land 1554 Ayr & W. Coll. VI. 209.
Robert Law … maid ane fence and arreistment upone ane pitkert … beand within the hevyn of the said burgh of Aire 1570 Lanark B. Rec. 51.
The officeris til pas till all and syndre the landis of the town and putt thame under fence 1596 Paisley B. Rec. 182.
To releif and skaithles keip Patrik Semple … of all fensis maid upon his maill for payment of the said sowm

3. The action of fencing a court. c1575 Balfour Pract. 273.
The affirmatioun and fence of the court, that na man tak speach upon hand, … except the persewar and defender

4. An enclosing fence; an enclosure. 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 658/2.
Our soverane lordis castell … with the ȝardis, orchartis, fensis and watteris pertenyng thairto 1598 Aberd. Eccl. Rec. 166.
The sclanderinge of his nichtbor, … calling him commond theiff and cuttar of fens and siclyk 1660 Melrose Reg. Rec. I. 277.
They than promittit to keip yewes upon the yew fence, [and] the yeild scheip upon thair fence