Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1952 (SND Vol. III).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CROWN, n. Sc. usages in comb. and phr.:
1. Crown Agent, “the agent or solicitor who, under the Lord Advocate, takes charge of criminal proceedings” (Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 269); 2. pleas of the Crown (see second quot.).2. Sc. 1700 Process against Egyptians in Spald. Club Misc. (1846) 178:
Robberie in a strict sence is one of the pleas of the Croune; but here, where we insist against them as being guiltie of masterfull bangstrie, it is not taken in the sence nor meaning of that law.Sc. 1890 Bell Dict. Law Scot. 270:
The crimes of murder, robbery, rape, and wilful fire-raising, according to our ancient practice, were cognisable by the justice and his deputies only, and are now cognisable by the Court of Justiciary; hence they are called the four pleas of the Crown.Wgt. 1845 Stat. Acc.2 IV. 9:
The King . . . granted a charter to Sir James Lindsay, for the [jurisdiction of the] earldom, . . . except the four pleas of the crown.
