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

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Allegeance, n.¹ Also: alegeance, allegeaunce, -eans, allegiance, all-, alegians, all-, alegens; allegance; alleag(e)ance, alleadgeance, -giance; alledg(e)ance, -giance, alledgence (-enis). [ME. allegeaunce, allegiaunce (c 1400), f. Allege v. The form allegance may be directly from OF. allegance or med.L. allegantia. After 1500 chiefly Sc.]

1. An allegation or assertion. 1456 Hay I. 213/1.
Quhat sum ever othir allegeaunce … sum invious folk wald mak aganis the fredome of Fraunce Ib. 216/12.
The quhilkis resouns and allegeancis I say … for ground of lawtee and of veritee c1450-2 Howlat 267.
Mony allegiance … Off Arestotill and ald men, scharplie thai schewe c1530-40 Stewart Maitl. F. cxxxv. 4.
Me think he sould be comptit wyse That first maid this allegance 1562-3 Winȝet I. 124/15.
Gif ȝe allege that the sanctis heiris ws nocht, be quhat Scriptuir preue ȝe ȝour allegeance 1581 Burne Disput. 7 b.
Gif ȝour alleageance var maid in forme of argument, the reason alleagit sould … be knauin maist sophisticall

2. spec. An allegation of right or title advanced in a court of law, or one implying a charge or accusation against a person.The sing. form is sometimes used as a plural.(a) 1462 Peebles B. Rec. 144.
It was set in the next court … gyf ony partis had clam to that caldron to cum this day with thar alegens or thair defensis 1474 Acta Aud. 34/2.
To summond witnes to profe sic allegiance as thai schew before the lordis 1521 Reg. Cupar A. I. 318.
The parteys callit befor the abbot and conuent, and thair allegeans heard on bayth the partyes 1554 Edinb. B. Rec. 209.
The jugis … findis thameself jugis in the said caus nochtwithstanding the allegeance maid be the said Walter 1584 Crim. Trials I. ii. 137.
The Justice, vpoun certane allegeances, … continewit the mater 1622-6 Bisset II. 60/5.
The iudge … sall cause ane act be maid of the allegeance of baith the pairties c 1650 Red Bk. Grandtully II. 144.
They will pey ȝow with … sum fals allegenses(b) 1555 Edinb. B. Rec. 210.
Quhilks allegance the saidis baillies declarit that thai knew nocht 1593 Conv. Burghs I. 409.
The resounis and allegaunces proponit be the said Conseruatour 1622-6 Bisset I. 163/24.
Procuratouris … suld nocht propone vane and frevoill allegances 1623 Kinghorn Kirk S. 23.
Dauid Cuik … comperit to haif anserit some alleagance proponit aganst him 1647 Strathbogie Presb. 83.
Scho … refused to giue her oath for the said allegance(c) a1605 Montg. Ch. & Slae 1056.
Alledgence past for law 1617 Urie Baron Ct. 24.
Abrahame … denyit the haill alledgeins proponit be the Laird 1640 Kirkcaldy Presb. 192.
If he crave any further dyet to prove his alledgeance against the laird 1694 Decis. Lords L. 600.
The other was content to find the alledgeance relevant

3. Alleging; citation. 1558 Q. Kennedy Tractive 110.
To colour thair wickit opinionis be allegeance of Scripturis thrawin efter thair maner