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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.

Cartell, Cartal(l, n. Also: cartale, -aill. [e.m.E. cartel, F. cartel.]

1. A written challenge or letter of defiance.(a) 1567 Reg. Privy C. I. 525.
He had befoir offerit him self [to single combat], be his cartell and proclamatioun 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 154.
Thow shifted not for the circumstances depending on thy persone in the first bragging cartell 1577 Reg. Privy C. II. 660.
[Menteith and Livingston have] send and directit ayther of thame to utheris cartellis and writtingis of reproche and defamatioun, contenyng manifest provocatioun of troubill 1604 Stirling B. Rec. II. 383.
The wretar of the cartell sall pay the soume of … , and the resavar of the cartell that acceptis the provocatioun salbe under the lyk paine 1610 Melrose P. 80.
A new breache betwix the pairteis, by interchangeing of cartellis privilye betwix thame selfis(b) 1569-73 Bann. Memor. 142.
Forsamekle as thow, be ane cartall laitlie set fourth, boastis the ansuer to ony 1591 Reg. Privy C. IV. 578.
He directit his cartaill to the said complenair, contening mony injurious … speicheis [etc.] 1604 Stirling B. Rec. II. 383.
Quhatsomevir gild brother wretis cartallis to uther 1628 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. II. 323.
That nane of tham take upoun hand to direct or accept cartalls or challenges the one from the other 1651 St. A. Presb. 164.
Being asked, if he did send a cartall to Major Andrew Lesly? denyed it

2. A scurrilous or libellous document. 1568 Buch. Indict. 46.
A cartell wes red and put one the Mercat Croce of Edinbur^t 1583 Reg. Privy C. III. 583.
To … sett out, in buikis, ballettis, pasquillis, or cartelis, in write or prent, … ony sclanderous speitchis [etc.] 1586 Gray Lett. & P. 142.
Thaer is nichtlie cartells tint, and pasqwills affixit, agaenst the King