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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.

Credence, Credens, n. Also: creddence, -ens, creidens, cridence, criddens. [ME. and OF. credence, L. crēdentia.]

1. Belief, faith. Esp. in to give credence.(1) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1888.
Thane thai, that ware before in dout, Gaf full credence thar-to all-out 1456 Hay I. 30/23. Ib. 130/17; etc.
The symple peple … the quhilkis gave trouth and credence to the Romaynes c1475 Wall. ii. 335.
The man tharto gret credens gaif he nocht Ib. ix. 1939.
To Scottis men a gret credens he gaiff 1490 Irland Mir. I. 136/4.
That this lady suld traist this weraly; and gif ferme credens and faithe thar till c1500-c1512 Dunb. xxxii. 41.
The lam gaif creddence to the tod c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 412.
Think ye not schame For to gif credence till ane dreame? a1578 Pitsc. I. 261/10.
The king gaif them bott lytill credence a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. clxxx. 43.
Gif na credens to comune clatteraris(2) c1400 Troy-bk. ii. 1845.
To fluris wele thare tale And gare thaime haf more ferme credence a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 1009.
At Crist with credence thai craif, … And thus pray thay all a1568 Bann. MS. 230 a/11.
Quha that secreit can nocht be, … credence nane sall him be lent 1560 Rolland Seven S. 5519.
Haistie credence oft tymes brewis baill a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xcvi. 25.
I feir, that men … Hes sawin suspitioun, that credence is areir

2. Evidence of being properly accredited or commissioned; credentials. 1424 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 14.
The quhilke soume to be sent to yhw, as … the fornemmit maister Alexanderis credence proportis c1450-2 Howlat 300.
Quhen thai consauit had the cais and the credence c1420 Wynt. viii. 1658 (C).
Off his gret consail withe credens His chargis he deliuirit thar c1475 Wall. viii. 1667.
At this herrold he askyt his credence 1513 Doug. xi. vi. 29.
Than the ambassat … He bad do schaw the credens that thai brocht Ib. 34. 1532 Treas. Acc. VI. 99.
With sic informatioun and credence gevin to him to be schewin to the bordouraris 1535 Stewart 13309.
The messinger … schew till him his criddens les and moir 15.. Clar. iv. 38.
Commandit him his creddence for to kyth 1548 Corr. M. Lorraine 263.
As I trast your grace kenis be hys broderis credens

b. Assurance, guarantee of fulfilment or protection. c1475 Wall. viii. 555.
Wallace thaim gaiff his credence off this thing 1570 Sat. P. xiii. 107.
To tak ane pure man vnder his credence, Syne cut his throt

3. Credit, reputation, good name or standing. 1496 Edinb. B. Rec. I. 70.
The fermoraris thairof sall pay [etc.] … for the keping of thair credence thairintill 1524 Ib. 218.
Maister James Wischart declarit be his credence … that [etc.] 1535 Grant Chart. 79.
Vnder the pane of cursing … and tinsale of perpetuale faytht, lawte, and cridence c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 224.
Throw his verteous diligence Of that Lord he gat sic credence, That [etc.] a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. c. 39.
Get scho credence scho will stope ȝow to thrive 1596 Dalr. I. 101/24.
Thay vse … to put a gluue vpon the poynte of ane speir in exprobratione … of him quha crakit his creddence

4. Credit, trust (in various senses). a1500 Bk. Chess 1603.
Gret fraude it is in thi credens to tak Mor than thow may thar of payment mak c1500-c1512 Dunb. xiii. 34.
Sum [is] herreit, and on creddens dynis 1560 Rolland Seven S. 336.
Giue me ȝour sone in credence and gyding a1570-86 Maitland Maitl. F. xxviii. 7.
Be honorable and weill credence keip a1578 Pitsc. I. 17/4.
The queine … got credence to vissie and haunt companie with hir sone 1596 Dalr. I. 138/27.
To commend lyfe and gudes vnto the credence and custodie of the Ylandmen thay war forced Ib. II. 269/2.
Creddence of thair keipeng was committed to M. Lord Leuingstoune