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

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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XII).
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Writ(e, Wryt(e, Wre(i)t, n.¹ Also: writt(e, vrit(e, vritt, urit, wriit, wrytt(e, vryte, ryt, wryit, vryit, vrych(t, wirt, wyrt, wreite, wreitt(e, vreit(t, wriet, wrett, vret(t, wreat(t)(e, vreat, wreath, wrait(e, wraitt, vrait, wrayt, wrot(t. [ME and e.m.E. writ(e (c1175), writt (a1200), writ (c1200), writte, write (both Cursor M.), wryte (Manning), wryt(t (both 14th c), wryȝt (15th c), wrethe (1481), wright (1516), OE writ (ᵹewrit); Write v.]See also Handwrit(t n.There is considerable overlap within and between the senses.

1. a. Something written; a chronicle or story; poetry or literary composition; a (piece of) writing; a paper (with writing on it). Also pl. (a person's) writings or papers. b. specif.A letter or missive. c. An account or memorandum. d. An inscription. Also fig. or in fig. context.a. 1375 Barb. i 343.
Catone sayis ws in his wryt [etc.] c1450-2 Howlat 395 (A).
Off the douchty Dowglas … the Bruse [etc.] … Reid the writ of thar werk, to ȝour witnes 1456 Hay II 66/7.
All the writtis that ever was writtin for our documentis and teching, for the teching of the keping of hors and harnais [etc.] c1515 Asl. MS I 197/6.
Ȝour fals and fenȝeit writ … in the quhilk ȝhe mak ȝow to schaw … that certane of our kingis suld haf maid homage vnto ȝour kingis of Yngland 1501 Doug. Pal. Hon. 859 (L).
Thalia … In wanton wryt and cronikillis doith imprent a1568 Scott xxvi 67.
I muse … Quhat way to wryt or put in vers [etc.] … The vertew of this writ … is That famenene ar of this figour Quhilk clippit is antiphratis 1584 Whitelaw Sc. Arms Makers 299.
Certain writtis of parchment 1598 James VI Basil. Doron 184/9.
Youre urittis uill remaine as treu pictouris of youre mynde to all posterities 1600-1610 Melvill 167.
The bischope's men … haid sought out all my lettrones and wryttes a1605 Montg. Sonn. xvii 13.
Sen wryt, nor wax, nor word is not a word: I must perforce ga seik my fathers suord(b) 1513 Doug. i Prol. 467.
Albeit my sang to thy hie maieste Accordis nocht, ȝit condiscend to my write [etc.] c1552 Lynd. Mon. 5319.
He hes red, in Hebrew wryte, Off fyftene signis 1558-66 Knox I 281.
This present wryte is to mak answer particularlie to everilk article, directed be my lord of Sanctandrois to me a1585 Arbuthnot in Maitl. Q. 93/134.
Quha will … dewlie reid The wryte & storeis auld 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 238.
Witnes the monuments of wryte of greatest antiquitie mentioning our progenitours(c) c1590 J. Stewart 88/325.
Vreat(d) 1597–8 Aberd. B. Rec. II 158.
The sey kart … conteining money guid profitable vreitis, instructione and devyses necessar for sic as treddis on sey [etc.] 1637 Baillie I 24.
My seven sheits of wreits with Mr. Chrichtoune yow will send … I have written another since on predestination(e) c1600 Poem (verso T. Pont) 17.
My word, my wret … Accordis alwayisb. 1456 Hay I 15/14.
And sa understude Sanct Paule in his wryttis, sayand that [etc.] 1456 Hay I 302/9.
He suld be wele … avisit or that he write to the pape ony materis [etc.] … And quhen he wrytis, his writtis suld be [etc.] c1475 Wall. viii 1663.
The harrold … Be tuk till him the kingis wryt off France … Quhen he it red [etc.] 1513 Doug. iii vi 174.
Fatis fortocum In palm tre leiffis thame notand … Writand vp euery word … Quhat euer this virgyne discrive in hir endyte, Without the cave closyt scho lays the write 1531 Bell. Boece II 379.
King Edward schew thir indentouris to the Bruce and demandit him gif he had ony cognossance of his awin writ. The Bruce denyit the letteris 1559 Cal. Sc. P. I 258.
[I wrote to you of our enterprise … but as yet have neither word nor] write [thereof] a1585 Maitl. Q. 110/66.
I can na other way declair My troublit hairt to that princes … Bot be my wryte and schedull quhilk I send 1585 Lett. Jas. VI to Eliz. VI 14.
Dearest sister, I … beseiche you to appardone me for me long delay of wrytting … By no deidis (much less wryttes) I can [etc.] 1596 Dalr. II 55/1.
Be al meinis possible thairin suld ȝe labour … be lettres as messingers writt as worde 1600-1610 Melvill 490.
The quhilk letter the king … keipit … amangs his privie wryttes 1644 Baillie II 223.
How our affaires goe yow may see in the three printed papers; and forraigne affaires yow may read in the inclosed wryte 1645 Baillie II 301.
The king's wrytes I saw … for the parliament sent them to us to be all seen … In diverse letters under his hand he presses Ormond [etc.] 1647 Misc. Spald. C. I 21.
I am enformed yow receaued a wryte from my neveu(b) 1589–1600 Skipper's Acc. (Morton) 64b.
For sending my boy our the vater tua sindre tymes for vraitis iiii lib.c. 1488–92 Treas. Acc. I 87.
Thare was a writ fund in the said box sayand: In hac boxa xij^c Hari nobilis [etc.] 1519 Perth Hammermen 5.
Ultimo Januarii comptit and reknit of all comptis bygane to the dait of this present wret, dischairgitd. c1420 Wynt. vi 592 (W).
Epitafyis … A writt abufe a graif c1420 Wynt. vi 1431.
A cerkill was … off bras And all wryttyn thare wyth-owte That cerkyll than wes rede abowte ‘The kalendis off May [etc.] … He tuke swilk resowne off this wryte That [etc.]' 1621-40 Melville Commonpl. Bk. 59.
Or lyke a schuttle in weavers hand Or lyke a writting on the sand The shuttles flung the wreit's blotfig. 1645 Rutherford Tryal Faith (1645) 203.
There is writ remaining after sin is acted … writ written with a pen of iron and diamond

2. A writing having legal force, usu. as witnessed, signed or sealed, a deed, a formal written document.Quot. 1476 in (c) may belong in 5 a.(a) 1393 Slater Early Sc. Texts No. 28.
This present writ neuerthelesse to stande in all effect 1400 MacRae Early Sc. Texts No. 7.
Til al men this writ to her or se me … to haf … grantit & throu this my present charter [etc.] 1424 Grey Friars 167.
The seelle of it [sc. a charter] was fune in the toun of Orok but of ony wryt at it 1444 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 395.
Be this present writ becummys mane til ane honorable … lorde c1460 Regim. Princ. 212 (Maitl.).
Thy richtuous iugement With writ and wax confermit 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 172.
To hafe lattyn al our landis of the Coubyre … for the tyme of the confection of this present wryt a1500 Henr. Fab. 2277.
Gaif I my hand or oblissing?' quod he, ‘Or haue ȝe witnes or writ for to schau?' 1477 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 201.
The alde rollis registris writtis and euidentis send be thame a1538 Abell 83a.
Quhen I oblis me … to keip my lettir of tak or assedatioun I man keip the bundis of it eftir the tenour of my writ for it is ane rewll of law 1563 Reg. Privy C. I 251.
Sik writtis, writtingis, and documentis he will use for preving of … his clame 1563 Reg. Cupar A. II 280.
Quhilk expensis forsaid wes maid at the comptrollaris command, be his vritt lik as the inuentour … will testifie 1575 Orkney Oppress. 8.
His licence and writ obtained be moyen or bribes c1575 Balfour Pract. 367.
Gif ony partie proponis ane exceptioun … quhilk … sould be provin be writ and the proponar thairof alledge that the writ or evident quhairwith he sould preive the samin is in ane place far distant [etc.] 1585 Misc. Spald. C. II 344.
That the haill writtis … ar in his chartour kist 1587 Acts III 448/2.
Instrumentis contractis and vtheris writtis 1595 Cal. Sc. P. xii 16.
[We have no doubt with the grace of God to perform all our] writtis 1629 Boyd Last B. 461.
There is God's obligation, whose word is faster than all the writs of men subscribed with a thousand noters a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 187.
Wryttis for giveing of a reversion shall make no fayth except it be registratt(b) 1428 Bk. Carlaverock II 430.
In witnes of the qwylk thyng to thir present wryte … the seillis … are hungyn 1432 Highland P. II 174.
I oblyse me that all wryte and evident that I had or has of … the saide changing [sc. of one estate for another] I sal gif up 1464 Liber Aberbr. II 141.
Vndir his wax in attentik write a1500 Henr. Fab. 1169.
This summondis maid befoir witnes … The rauin … Indorsat hes the write 1476 Acta Aud. 42/1.
Becaus that the said James … denyit his awn hand … and thereftir prefit be notable witnes that it wes his awn propir hand & writting … to … ger ane officiar stryke him throw the hand that wrate the said write 1482–3 Acta Conc. II cxxvii.
It was assignit … to Margret … to prufe efter the form of ane act … of the Lordis … gevin thairupon be … actentik write and document that [etc.] 1504 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 405.
The said obligatioun … I … grant me to haiff dischargeit be this my write 1505 Perth Guildry 470 (10 Nov.).
The prouest [etc.] … has set the common pynourschip … for the termes of fywe ȝeris quhill thaj be compleit nixt efter the dait of this present write 1568 Kirkcaldy B. Rec. 318.
That Alexander Cok, comoun clerk, write all feis, brevis, chartourperttis … and ony uther kynd write that sall happin to be maid within this burght 1576 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. I 11.
Fand the said transaction nocht sufficientlie provin in respect the vrite producit ves bot the copie of the minute of ane contract 1661 Decis. Lords G. 6.
Patrick Scot's discharge … is no bond, being of it self no binding write 1681 Stair Inst. (1681) i 345.
Private ways are constitute … by going and coming that way uninterrupted … fourty years without write, or any other right 1694 The Irvings of Hoddom in Dumfr. & Galloway Soc. (1902) 195.
James Lesly Johnstone … cited … as a havor of writis for proveing the payment 1696 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Deeds II 809.
Dallers [borrowed by the said Archibald from the said defunct without] wryte(c) 1469 Oliphants 15.
Vrych 1527 Fam. Rose 200.
Be it maid kend to all men be this present vrycht me … to haue assouerit [etc.](d) c1500 Halyb. xxii.
I swer that … I begyne … thys pleye of curt … trastand me to haue ane gud caus and for werite of the samen caus sweris to gyf in wriit(e) ?a1450 Florimond 94.
The wreit beiris witnes it is thus 1450 Reg. Episc. Brechin. I 151.
The moor of Brechin perambulat … be ane assise in obedience to the kings wreite 1592 Acts III 563/1.
All lettres and wreittis … [to] be past vnder his hienes casshett or vtherwayis nocht to be admittit as autentik 1606 Inverurie B. Ct. 4 Nov.
Wreittis sic as chartouris sesingis contractis oblegationis or wthir wretis 1611 Reg. Panmure I xxviii.
As I sawe in ane vreit, quhar he is insert witnes 1622-6 Bisset I 196/8.
The secund kynd of probatioun is called per scripta as quhen the perseware proves his lybell … be ane instrument of seasing, ane charter, ane contract or ony uther authentick wreit or evident a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 232.
That kyndnes founded upon wreitt, for peyment of the old dewty … should be als sufficient to the tennent as ane rentall for his lyfetyme c1633 Events Q. Mary & Jas. VI 124.
We gave ane wreitte of donation … to ane seminarie of Scots students who are to … reside in my houses [etc.] … as is set down in the said wreit(f) 1521 Maxwell Mem. I 246.
We haff subscrivit this wret with our hand, and set to our seyl 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 209.
Vret 1529 Rec. Earld. Orkney 210.
Be this my present wret 1582 Perth B. Ct. 24 Sept.
Vretis 1584 Rec. Earld. Orkney 304.
Vrett 1605 Edinb. Test. XL 14b.
I William Mauchane … makis this meneit and littill wrett as my lettrewill 1611 Reg. Panmure I xciv.
The hows of Panmore hes only had ane annuel rent and not the heretage of the heal rowme, quhilk thay schortly efter heawe gottine, as is manifest be syndry wrettis(g) 1529 Old Ross-shire I 11.
Inventar of the Laird of B. his wreattes of the Abbacie [etc.] c1536 Rec. Earld. Orkney 221.
Quhilk wreats … grantit to the said James Irving … in all thair poyntis, artickels … and serkcomstances … we aprove and ratifie 1624 Orkney & Shetl. Test. I 111b.
Small debtis for quhilk he had no wreat 1642 Orkney Rentals iii 20.
They have possesst thair lands as heritors without wreate(h) 1570 (16 … ) Dundee B. Laws 111.
The uther box with ane hinging lock for the evidentis and wraites 1585–6 Cal. Sc. P. VIII 237.
Memoriall of all the peices, buikes and wrayttis necessarie to be caryit daillie with my lordis commissioners to the conferences(i) ?1425 (1431) Reg. Great S. 44/2.
Till al that this wyrt sal here or se … gretyng 1431 Ayr & W. Coll. I 228.
This sal endour for a yer efter this wyrt 1431 Ayr B. Ct. 23 April.
Eftir Michelmes nist foluand the day of this wyrt abown 1473 Reg. Cupar A. I 177.
In witnes of the quhilkis to this present wirt we haue put our common selefig. 1636 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 134.
Zion's enemies … have the worst of it; for we have writ for the victory 1638 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 557.
I saw Christ take the pen in His hand, and subscribe my writs

3. Sacred writings, holy writ, chiefly as the Bible or scriptures. See Haly writ(t n. and Holy adj. for further examples. Also pl.(1) a1400 Leg. S. v 184.
Vryte [: it] a1400 Leg. S. x 532.
Wryte a1400 Leg. S. xviii 6.
Wryt 1456 Hay I 15/23.
Wrytt 1563-72 Ferg. Tracts 17.
Where is it red in the holy write, … that the masse … is abhomination? 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) ii 41.
Thou dost argumentaree, That bear-baiting may be made out, By holy writ, as lawfulpl. c1420 Wynt. v 3508.
Saynct Jerome wrate till hym … Amang othire haly wryttys … Gloria Patri in [till] twa wers(2) a1500 Henr. Annunc. 3.
No thing is hard as writ can pruf Till him in lufe that letis 1533 Gau 29/2.
S. Paul sais … that al thyngis quhilk ar vrityne thay ar vritine for our instruccione that we suld haif … hop throw consolacione of the scripturs. … al the writ quhilk is inspirit be the Halie Gaist is profetabil to tech [etc.] 1567 G. Ball. 42.
As witnes is Thy word in write 1567 G. Ball. 113.
Thow … hes promittit in the write [etc.] 1611-57 Mure Sonn. x 1.
[On a vile priest] Faith, now, & wryt all falsifyed ar found By one [etc.]

4. In various prep. phrases. a. In(to (under) writ, in writing; in a letter, literary composition, etc.; also, freq., in a legal context, in the form of a formal (legal) document or deed, in a legal text. b. To put in writ, to commit to wrett, to record in writing. c. Be writ, by way or means of writing or something written, a letter, deed or the like, also be writ or towng (aith, deade, tradition, etc.), be (in) word and (or, etc.) writ. d. Out of write, from a written text.a. (1) c1475 Wall. v 518.
A messynger the lord chargyt to wend And this commaunde in wryt with him he send 1535 Stewart 46666.
The king … All his desyr in wryte syne to him send a1585 Polwart Flyt. 33 (T).
I am rycht glaid Thow art begun in wreit to flyt 1585 James VI Ess. 14.
Graunt that I may so viuely put in verse The Sommer … As when in writ I do theirof reherse, Let readers think they fele the burning heat 1591 St. A. B. Ct. 23 Oct.
Iniurious wordis onvorthie to be recitit in wreit 1660 Rutherford Lett. (1894) 696.
A speaking to them in write 1662 Paterson Ayr & Wigton III 195.
Which sermon they desired he might either insert in the session-book … or leave it in write amongst them for their use(2) c1420 Wynt. iv 2561 (W).
All thare names … Breiffit vp in writt and roll 1431 Liber Melros 522.
I was requerit … for to testifi in to writ the thingis determynde 1456 Hay I 112/23.
Ane ordynance that clerkis has in wrytt in the alde lawis, be the ancient custumes of weris 1483 Acta Conc. II cxxxi.
The names salbe gevin to thame in write in a portous under the signet 1527–8 Carnwath Baron Ct. (SHS) 81.
That all plantis in tyme to cum salbe gyffin in vrit 1559 St. A. Kirk S. 1.
The rector … [sal geve] in wryt the names of sex qualefeit men 1562 Dumfries B. Ct. 179.
To be warnit in writt to compeir 1562-3 Winȝet I 17/9.
That we maye haue ȝour answeir in wrytt [v.r. wryit] 1564 Perth B. Ct. 144 (4 Sept.).
Wreitt 1570-3 Bann. Trans. 312.
Efter he had resavit the kirkis charge, in wrait c1575 Balfour Pract. 313.
Ane libel is ane petitioun maid in writ 1589 Edinb. Presb. 28 Oct.
The foresaid answeris gewin in be the said Mr. James in vrait 1600-1610 Melvill 9.
Haiffand the town of Anstruther bund be sufficient contract in wrait to me for twa hounder marks yeirlie 1630 Kirkcaldy Presb. 10.
Wreatt 1644 Strathbogie Presb. 45.
Vreitt 1645 Inverness Rec. II 189.
Wriet 1661 Wodrow Hist. I (1828) 139.
That there was a difference betwixt a process in writ, and the ordinary way before the session … The marquis answered … he knew the process before them was in writ 1664 Arniston Mem. 35.
Wrytte 1684 Mackenzie Inst. (1694) 212.
A testament … does require to be in writ — 1428 Liber Melros 519.
For to wytnes vnder wryt the thyng at wes determynyt befor me in iugementb. (1) 1375 Barb. i 13.
To put in wryt a suthfast story a1400 Leg. S. xiv 28.
Gestis that he leyryt Of vthris apostolis put in wryt & syne of thame al mad a buke 1448 Acts I 350/2.
That thai … put in wryt the statutis … of merchis 1501–2 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 642.
This our decret in writt put 1533 Boece 73b.
The oratouris of Ptholome … come in Albion to consider the … figure of the ile … and … put in writt as thai fand 1542 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 30^A.
It war our prolixit to put all thingis in vrite 1549 Compl. 32/26.
The ignorance that thai haue put in vrit, is verray mekil 1549 Compl. 96/14.
Vryit 1552 Buccleuch Mun. II 208.
That thai [sc. articles of law] be put in writt and billit and send to the counsalis of ather of the realmes 1567 Sat. P. vii 237.
Quhilk, quhen I saw, I … come hame, And put in wryt thair disputatioun a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 325/4, 16.
All lesingis … Thai put in writt and garris thame be prentit … The day will cum that thai sall forthink it That thai haue putt sic lesingis in to writ 1573 Reg. Privy C. II 212.
Cessatioun frome hostilitie wes grantit quhill thay mycht put in writt the summe of thair meaning 1583 Reg. Morton I 141.
I desyrit his lordschip to put the same in wrett … His answer wes … it wes nocht neidfull to him to put thame in wreit 1596 Dalr. I 68/3.
Writte 1676 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 229 (24 Oct.).
Ane clerk … to put the samyn authenticklie in wryte subscryve and cause the saids witnesses if they could wryte subscryve also(2) 1649 Blairs P. 22.
I cannot goodly commit to wrett what [etc.]c. (1) a1400 Leg. S. vii 560.
Makand hyme requeste be wryt 1456 Hay I 107/28.
Othir realmes that obeyis nocht to the emperoure … the quhilkis has be writt thair jurisdiccioun imperiale 1456–7 Acts II 50/2.
Be warnyt othir be officiare or be wryte c1575 Balfour Pract. 367.
The avail … of landis decernit in non-entres may not be provin be witnessis bot be writ, viz. be the retour thairof or be ane extract out of the buke of responde 1584 Laing MSS 44.
Report unto us be wreat quhat [etc.](2) 1429–30 Acts Jas. I in Ayr B. Ct. 6 March.
The somondour sal … mak hys rehers in court quedir at hime lykis be wyrt or be towng 1561 St. A. Kirk S. 87.
Manesing and bosting … bayth in word and wryt 1562 Bk. Univ. Kirk I 30.
To make supplication both by word and writt 1568 Grant Chart. 285.
Resawing … his guidle answer … baytht in word and write 1558-66 Knox II 461.
Nowther be word nor write wes there ony communicatioun betwix thame a1578 Pitsc. II 94/27.
Wrott c1590 Fowler II 21/15.
That quhilk maliciously be writ and deade in effect he hes performit 1596 Dalr. II 203/9.
Wrot 1600 Hamilton Facile Tr. 14.
In al pointes of religion, as thay war gevin … baith be wret & tradition 1622-6 Bisset I 206/35.
Probatioun … may be provin be writt or aith 1628 Edinb. Test. LIV 250b.
Soumes of money … adettit to me … athir be band, word, wryte or compt 1629 Boyd Fam. P. No. 134 (21 May).
Lett me have your will … aither be wreatte, or rather be mowth and in presenced. c1630 Scot Narr. 25.
Mr. John Douglas read his answer to every demand out of write

5. a. Handwriting, calligraphic style. b. The ability to write. c. (An instance of) hand written text.a. 15.. Clar. iii 1727.
Caussing Sir Thomas wryte … To se if that the writtis lyke war: thane This ilk Sir Thomas [for] to wryte begane Quhilk wryting so lyke was to the uther [etc.] 1581 Burne Disput. 4 (see Hand n. 1 d). 1591 Aberd. B. Rec. I viii.
Euil to be red, be resoun of the antiquite of the wreit, and forme of the letter 1600 Cal. Sc. P. XIII 701.
Excuis the informalitie and evill wryte 1600-1610 Melvill 185.
He causit wryt a copie in guid wrait 1600-1610 Melvill 418 (see Fair adj. 2 a (c)).
Wraitt 1609 Crim. Trials III 17.
The mekle old Cornikle, in wrett 1631 Justiciary Cases I 187.
The list of names … being schawin unto him … to declaire if he wald … acknowledge the same to be his awin hand writt 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. ii xxv 3 (1678) 525.
One mans write will differ from it self at several occasions 1700 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 226.
He … had not a good hand of write 1700 J. M. Beale Fife Schools 256.
He had not a good hand at write(b) 1528–9 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 97.
Williem Vylsone producit his preff be his hande and fayth and buk … and the … inquest admitit bath aytht and buk becaus the said coumpt buk vas all upone ane ryt and ane us wrytting(c) 1701 Moncreiffs 362.
Under my father's wreathb. 1598 Edinb. B. Rec. V 225.
Nane sall be resavet in the said first clas bot he quha can reid … Inglis with sum writtc. 1600 Crim. Trials II 288.
The … resemblance of the hand wraitt … of euerie wrytt, sillap and letter 1638 Henderson Serm. 285.
When great men speak it, and more when they set down write for it 1640 Dundonald Par. Rec. 466 (see Print n. c).
Writ 1611-57 Mure Hist. Rowallane 235.
Other adminicles of wryte in myne owne hand

6. attrib., comb. and possess. a. attrib. Writt book, a notebook. Writt buist, a box for storing documents. b. comb. Writ making, the drawing up of a deed. Wryte notes, wreit pencil, (pencil) written notes. c. possess. Wreittis box, writis kist, = writt buist in a above.a. 1643 Edinb. Test. LX 240.
Aucht littell writt buistes estimat all to xvj s. 1659 A. Hay Diary 13.
My sermon writt book 1675 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II 91.
An writt book of physickb. 1538 Breadalbane Doc. No. 48.
At he hes nocht satefeit the said Archibald at the said day of this writ making — 1581 Argyll Acc. 15 June.
Allowit … to Villiam Stakar goldsmyth … as my ladeyis said wreit pencil in compt beris 1641 Baillie I 323.
They when he spake did wryte their notes and in their speeches did look on these papers … most of the Lords and Lower House did wryte much dailie … that is strange in this great judicatorie that nothing at all is dyted bot in a continued speech all spoken and the clerks take what they can, so that in the pronouncing of the sentences the judges who wants their own wryte-notes hath much to doe in their memoriec. 1600 St. A. Baxter Bks. 64.
Archbald Lewingstoun, keipar of the vreittis box 1619 St. A. Baxter Bks. 82.
Kepar of the key of the vritis kist