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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.

Leg-harnes, n. Also: -harnais, -harnas, -harnys. [ME. legharneis (Wyclif), -harneys; Harnes n. 1.]

1. Armour for the legs. 1401–7 Aberd. B. Rec. (S.H.S.) 221.
A par of leg harnys … xix s. 1425 Acts II. 10/2.
That ilk gentilman … be sufficiandly harnest … withe basnete, haile legharnes, suerde [etc.] 1456 Hay II. 46/5.
Leg-harnais is gevin the knycht that his leggis and fete war seker to passe in the wayes and stretis 1481 Acts II. 132/2.
That thai ger make thare jakkis syde to the knee thai that wantis leg harnes c1475 Wall. viii. 1202.
His leg harnes he clappyt on so clene, Pullane greis he braissit on full fast 1501 Treas. Acc. II. 22.
For mending of the Kings leg harnas 1507 Ib. IV. 73.
For ane plait of legharnes to the King 1513 Doug. xii vii. 114.
Eneas … Hvs lymmys in legharnes gold begane Claspyt full clos 1535 Stewart 9857.
With leg harnes like as the siluer schene

b. ? Accoutrements for the legs more generally. 1507 Treas. Acc. III. 381.
For vj pair legharnes for daunsaris

c. fig. 1635 Dickson Wr. 135.
Take the sword of the Spirit, the leg-harness of resolution [etc.] … spoken of in Ephesians vi

2. transf. Troops equipped with leg-armour. 1535 Stewart 9752.
The leg harnes in to the formast front, … as then wes vse and wont, The hand axis syne … , The lycht harnes syne efter to cum last