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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.

Militia, n. Also: mill-, miel-, mel-, malitia, melicha, malishie. [e.m.E. militia, -icia (1590), L. mīlitia.] The militia, the auxiliary force of trained civilians supplementing the regular army.This late 17th c. equivalent of the modern territorial army was levied proportionately from the various shires and burghs in local troops and companies. In peace-time the militia paraded at an annual rendezvous on a fixed date, normally in summer, but they were of course also liable to be called out at any time in an emergency. See also Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI. 38 f. 1646 Acts VI. i. 576/2.
The formar propositions agried vpon by the parliamentis of bothe kingdomes especiallie these thrie propositions for setling religion the militia and Ireland 1658 Monk in Ib. II. 914/2.] 1669 Ib. VII. 554/2; 1672 Ib. VIII. 58/2; etc.
[Some of the regiments may be reduced, and in the stead of them a good militia of trained bands set up in the severall counties 1671 Haddington B. Rec. (Robb) 30 Dec.
Lovetennent … and … ancient to the tounes companie of militia 1678 Highland P. I. 311.
The said Earl of Argyll to call to his assistance such parties of the mielitia … as he shall think fit 1678 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 431.
For ane reagment of colleras for the melicha of the good toun of Edinburgh 1685 Acts VIII. 483/2; etc. 1688 Stirling B. Rec. II. 332. 1689 Acts XII. 49/2.
The order of the malitia in the respective shyres that the kingdome might be in posture of defence 1697 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI. 32.

b. Attrib.(1) 1668 Edinb. Surgeons II. 27.
The gairdner to haue ane shilling of everie ene … to defray his charges of his militia man 1680 Fawside Coal Compt 59.
For 2 day Whythill militia man 00: 12: 0 1689 Acts IX. 30/1. 1697 Fountainhall Decis. I. 805.
A man whom Ker of Cavers had hired to be his levy-man … whom afterwards the parish of Abbot-reul … put out as their man and forced Cavers to conduce with another to be his militia man — 1671 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 275.
To imped the militia souldiers to ingadge with the French captaine — 1680 Fawside Coal Compt 59.
For the militia horse man 00: 18: 0(2) 1669 Lamont Diary 210.
For payment of the drums, collowrs, halberts [etc.] … to the 2 melitia regements of foote for the shire of Fyffe 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 303.
The millitia redgement — 1684 Symson Descr. Galloway 66.
Livetenant to his Majestie's militia troop of horse for this shire(3) 1671 Irvine Mun. II. 100.
Payment … for the outricking and mentenance of there melitia horsses … for the yeare sewinty 1692 Conv. Burghs IV. 623.
Outreek of malitia and baggage horse expences(4) 1685 Acts VIII. 483/2.
The Secret Council to take such courses for disposing of the militia armes in the respective shyres as shall seem most expedient 1697 Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. 3 Ser. XXXVI. 45. — 1688 Stirling B. Rec. II. 332.
Three malishie musketis — 1675 Cunningham Diary 65.
As my proportion for the militia trumpet and standard … £1–10–0(5) 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS. 1 April.
The rolls of the taxatioune and militia money to be broucht in by the severall collectors 1677 Edinb. B. Rec. X. 305.
The millitia and other money the toun is layable to 1687 Cameronian Soc. Let. in Faithful Contendings 301.
Paying any of their wicked impositions as militia money, cess, locality or fines