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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
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Spuilȝe, Spoilȝe, Spoil(l, n. Also: spuily(i)e, -ȝie, -ȝei, -iȝe, spuillie, spuylea, spwilȝe, spulȝ(i)e, -y(i)e, -ȝei, -ȝee, -eȝe, -eye, -ie, spullȝe, spwllȝe, spoily(i)e, -ȝie, -ȝhe, -yea, (spoilȝeit), spoillȝ(i)e, spoylȝ(i)e, -ie, -ye, -eȝe, spoyllie, spoulȝ(i)e, -ȝee, spowillȝe, spoolie, -yee, spolȝ(i)e, -ȝey, -yie, spoile, spoyl(e, spoyll, spowlle, spewlle, spul(l)e. [ME and e.m.E. spoyle (14th c.), spoile, spuyle (both Wyclif), spoil (1575-85), OF espoille, espuille, L. spolium.]

1. a. Spoliation, the wrongful taking or theft of moveable goods; an instance of this. Chiefly, const. of the goods, etc. taken or the person or place robbed, also, once, of the person carrying out the theft. b. Spoliation as alleged theft, a claim at law for spoliation.Freq. in collocation with refe (Ref(e n.¹), slauchter (Slauchtir n.), etc.a., b. (1) sing. with art. 1479 Acta Conc. I 28/2.
Gife ther be ony vther persouns that was at the said spulȝe & had proffit therof, the said persouns sall haue regresis to thaim & recompens according to the law 1493 Antiq. Aberd. & B. II 142.
And ordinis him to haf lettrez to summonde his witnes anent the said spuilye 1503 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 47.
Quhilks personis lauchfully summond warnit comperit and accusit denyit the said spulȝie 1530 Antiq. Aberd. & B. IV 478.
James Gordoune … to … pay againe to the said Agnes xiij score of scheip … quhilkis … war spulyeit fra hir … The proffictis of the saidis … scheip sen the tyme of the said spulye thre pundis 1549 Soc. Ant. XI 92.
His lordschip aucht … to mak conding mendis to his lordship for the said violent spulȝe c1575 Balfour Pract. 358.
In actiounis of spuilȝie … gif the defendar proponis a peremptour exceptioun aganis the libel … and preivis not the samin sufficientlie, he is haldin and repute to confes and grant the clame or spuilȝie 1449 Acts (1597) i 30b.
Onie man that beis spuilȝied and cummis before the King and his Councel and compleinȝies of spoliation, & the spuilȝie may be proued, … the schireffe … salbe commanded be the King to mak him that is spuilȝied bee restored but delaie a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 109.
If the goods alleadgeat spuilȝied be restored to the possessor, als good as they wer the tyme of the spuilȝie, befoir the intenting of the summonds or within twentie dayes efter the spuilȝie, the restitution purges the spuilȝie a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 177.
In ane actione of reduction of ane decreit of spuilȝie … the lords repellit ane reason founded upon poynding, becaus the poynding wes six monethes efter the spuilȝie provin be their decreit 1684 Decis. Lords F. 57.
The spuilȝie could not be sustained, except it were alledged and proven(b) 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 183.
Tueching the allegeit wranguis spoilȝeing fra him of iiij kye & ane stot … the said George producit certane personis preuis summond … to preve the said spoilȝe 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 228.
He had certane witnes … summond … to hef preuit ane spoilȝe be Williame Lauson maid of ane coppyre catill as in ane precept gevin tharupon mare fullely is contenit a1634 Forbes Rec. 470.
Of ane fact of spoillȝie there arysses two actions, namelie, if the pairtie be called for restitution of the goods, ane civill action befor the Lords of Session; and if the pairtie be called for oppression, ane action propper to the Secreit Counsell ?1668 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 121.without art. 1490–1 Acta Conc. I 188/2.
All debatis committ or done be ony of the saidis partiis to vtheris be spuilȝe or ony vther wayis 1503 Acts II 242/1 (see c (5) below). 1535 Stewart 56287.
That halie place wes suirit … Fra fyre, bot nocht fra spulȝe and fra reif; In it he left nocht scant worth ane kaill leif c1550 Rolland Ct. Venus iii 905. 1564 Perth B. Ct. 106 (10 June).
And protestit gif ony persone intromettit with the samyn for resient spulȝe & oppression 1681 Stair Inst. i ix § 16.
Spuilȝie is the taking away of moveables without consent of the owner or order of law, obliging to restitution of the things taken away, with all possible profits, or reparation thereof, according to the estimation of the injured, made by his juramentum in litem. Thus things stolen or robbed, though they might be criminally pursued, as theft or robbery, yet they may be civilly pursued for as a spuilȝie(b) 1516 Sutherland Bk. III 64.
Gywe the wyththaldaris of the hous be way of reaf or spolȝe takis ony profeitt efforsaid 1544 Corr. M. Lorraine 94.
Thair is ane certane of mysdoaris in Domglas quhilk levis apoun reif and spoilȝe 1565 Calderwood II 289.
That suche horrible crimes as now abound in this realme … as … murther, slaughter, reafe, spoilȝie with manie other detestable crimes may be severlie punished 1596 Dalr. II 130/24.
Nather culd the King of Portugal … be strenth or force euir hinder the Bartans fra spoilȝie and reife, invadeng the schips of Portugal 1596 Dalr. I 169/14.
Spoyllie 1627 Rep. Parishes 147.
The wholl paroche besyd the grassoum for the personage teind ewerie nyntein yeir extending to fyftie merk for spolȝie and grassoum being but ten merkis of old 1651 Johnston Diary II 102.
I thought it ominous to king and airmy their great desyre … aye to be in Ingland, and that for spoylzie and plunderpl. 1520 Misc. Abbotsf. C. 9.
The saidis pairteis beand sworn til abyd vnderly and fulfill our sentence, decreit and deliuerance anentis all slauchteris spulȝeis debatis actionis and querellis 1570 Leslie 123.
He wes sa trublit be the persute of the Scottis men, be continewall invaisioune, spulyeis and burning within Ingland, that [etc.] 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Iter.
And as for depredationes, ejectiones, spuilȝies, the samin being first civilie discussed before the civill judge ordinar; therafter may be criminally persewed before the justice and his deputes 1603 Coll. Rebus Alban. 128.
Reaffs, heirschippis, spulȝies, and other manifest enormeities 1622-6 Bisset I 127/15. a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 297.
Depraedationes masterfull, reiff and spuilȝeis, most be first civillie decyditt befoir the lords of sessione 1685 Acts VIII 471/2.
Actions proceeding upon warnings, spulȝies, ejections, arreistments(b) 1587 Reg. Privy C. IV 195.
[The King and Council] considering the monyfauld heirschippis, spoilis, and oppin rubbaries committit be … pyrattis(2) sing. with art. 1478–9 Acta Aud. 72/2.
The said Laurence has done wrang in the spulȝe & taking of the said teinde schavis 1479 Acta Aud. 94/2.
That William Kemp has done na wrang in the spoliation na withhalding of a hors pertening to George of Gledstanys, becaus the said George failȝeit in his pruf anent the spulȝe & withhalding of the sammyn hors 1482 Acta Aud. 99/2.
The actioune … anent the spulȝe & slauchter of ij^c gymmyr [etc.] … as is contenit in the saide summondis, is continewit … to the viij day of Maij 1505 Crim. Trials I i 104.
Remission to John Spens of Lathalland … for spuilȝie of the teind sheaves of the said grain 1508 Crim. Trials I i 59.
[For art and part of the] spuilȝie [of four horses, eight cows and four oxen from John Thomsoune, furth of his lands of Knokminschoche] 1510–11 Reg. Privy S. I 334/1.
For the spulȝe of ane brogit staf fra him 1528 Wemyss Chart. 277.
Spulȝie 1538 Crim. Trials I i 208. 1656 Aberd. Council Lett. III 266.
The Laird of Elsick and Maister Alexander Pattouns actione for the spuilyie of his cornes 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 221.
Heirwith the minuts of that act and comissione anent the spulȝie of teinds at the Colledges instance against the towne(b) 1486 Bk. Carlaverock II 447.
Spolȝeywithout art. 1508 Crim. Trials I i 59.
For … the oppression done to the old Lady of Home, in spuilȝie of xxiiij cows furth of Gallovny 1549 Compl. 23/3.
Be maist extreme violent spulȝee ande hairschip of ther mouabil gudis 1556 Crim. Trials I i 394.
For stouthreif and spuilȝie of the said victual c1575 Balfour Pract. 365.
Gif ony persoun beand callit for spuilȝie of teindis, or ony uther gudis and geir, alledgis that ony man, in his name, transactit with the persewar, that he sould intromet with the samin teindis or geir; this samin alledgeance is sufficient, and saifis him fra spuilȝie, bot he aucht and sould preive the samin be writ, and not be witnessis a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 108.
Spuilȝie of goods, being proven be wittnesses sufficientlie, the availl and quantitie of the goods should be referrit to the persewar's oath; bot if the spuilȝie be not cleirlie proven non debet quantitas deferri 1655 Fam. Innes 185.
Paid under distress for spulȝie of teinds 2000 0 0 1681 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 312.
The parson … insists verie vigorouslie for spulȝie of teyndspl. 1579 Grant Chart. 286.
John Graunt … wes participant of the spoilȝeis of horse, nolt, and scheip(3) a1570-86 Maitland in Maitl. F. 305/22.
It is ane petie to heir tell How the pure commounis of this land Fra wrang can not debait thame sell Fra reif and spulȝe of sum band Off suddartis 1574 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 19.
The supplicatioun … aganis certan nychtbouris for the allegit spulȝe of the said Doull at Lochbromepl. 1442 Charter (Reg. H.) No. 307.
For quhy that we hawe vnderstande the gret & perowlus strywys betwix owr wele belouide cosingis … for the lordschip of Dalketh and at gret slawchter spolȝeis reffys wasting of owr liegis 1592 Laing MSS 81.
Recompence might be thereby to the Scotts for theire spoylyes by Englishe pyrattis(b) 1549 Lamb Resonyng 51/3, 5.
The ryding and spuilȝeis of prevate Scottis and Inglis vsis to be redrest at wardan courtis, and sic radis and spuilȝeis is na sufficient caus for to mak weir(4) 1511 Crim. Trials I i 112.
Remission to Patrick Lesly, son of Andrew, for art and part of casting down and spuilȝie of the place of Keme 1512 Treas. Acc. IV 341.
To Gillebreid, pursevant, to pas in the Ilis to summond Dowgall Ranaldsone for spulȝee of the Spanȝartis schip brokin thair xlij s. 1549 Lamb Resonyng 35/9.
The spuilȝe of ȝour kirkis 1557 Reg. Privy S. V i 59/2.
Tuicheing the discharge of the spulye of Fynnevin and Glennesk 1573 Warrender P. (SHS) I 125.
He and his freindis mon be releavit of the actioun quhilk the lard of Balfour hes intendit for the spuilȝie of the castell of Sanctandrois 1575 Bk. Old Edinb. C. XV 16.
The Council took up a case of spulyie by certain Scots of the Michael of Bristol owned by Walter Dowll(b) 1585 Misc. Bann. C. I 125.
Spolyiepl. 1549 Lamb Resonyng 49/26.
Thir allegit Scottis raidis and spuilȝeis of Ingland will appeir mair just causis of weir(5) 1559–60 Soc. Ant. XI 522.
[Gold, etc.] sua put in keping … quhair it suld best eschapit the reif and spulyie of vtheris

c. To committ (a) spulȝe (upon, fornent, against a person or place), (of lands, a person); to mak (a) spulȝe (on a place), (of goods); to do spulȝe (to a person or place); to use spulȝe; to carry out (alleged) spoliation.Also with nouns derived from these verbs.(1) 1489–90 Acta Aud. 141/2.
The lordis … decrettis … that the said Schir Dauid has committ na spuilȝe in the takin of the samyn & sall be na crime to him becaus he did it be a colourit richt as said is 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 105.
The Lordis of Consale decretis and deliveris that the sade Robert and Henry has committit na spulȝe nor dois na wrang in the detencione, awataking and withhalding of the cornes abonewritin, because the schiref deput of the schyre deliverit the sammyn ordourely to the sadis Robert and Henry [etc.] 1504 Armstrong Hist. Liddesdale 195.
Spulyies 1505 Crim. Trials I i 50.
Committande upone our souerane lordis liegis reffis, spulȝeis, hereschippis, and rasande fire, in tressonabill wise 1532 Douglas Corr. 348.
The caus of sending certane vageouris to ȝour bordouris wes … to defend ȝour liegis fra reiffis and spulȝeis allegit to be committit be ouris fornent thame ?1546 Crawford Mun. Invent. I 92.
Gif he … commit exhorbitant reiff or spuilȝie of his landis or tenantis 1569 Reg. Privy C. II 10.
That ather of the saidis partiis … sall forgif … extinct and forgett all maner of slauchteris heirschippis spulȝeis … fyre rasingis … and heirschippis, committit be thame 1594 Acts (1597) ii 156b.
Nane of the saidis clannes [etc.] … sal haue action criminall or civill against quhatsumever persones, for ejection, spuilȝie, slauchter, fire raising, or vther alleged violent deed committed against them … except [etc.] a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 110.
He that poynds be virtue of a precept orderlie committs spuilȝie, if ther be nothing auchting him a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 110.
Whosoever enters into any wther man's office (he not being removed therfra be order of law), albeit be virtue of title and auctority, committs spuilȝie 1679 Wodrow Hist. III (1829) 62.
Spulies 1683 Martine Reliq. Divi Andreae 64.(b) 1576 Breadalbane Lett. 19 May.
As to ȝour last wryting bering a spoylȝe committit upon ȝour saidis tennentis I haue causit delyver this day ane bill of resent spoylȝe 1612 Aberd. Council Lett. I 115.
All thiftis and spoilȝies committit be borders civill or criminall befoir the kingis going in England forgevin(c) 1499 Kilravock Charters in Orig. Par. II ii 528.
Herschippis, sclacteris and spowlleis [committed by Kanoch Makkanehy and his kinsmen … on the King's] pur legis and tenandis(2) 1478 Acta Aud. 59/1.
Anent the spulȝe maid be Johne Ȝong … on Michell of Chavmer landis … callit Wilsons clois in the taking of certain poindis for ane annuell rent of xl s. clamit … to be awing to him … the said Johnne has done wrang … and … sall restor & deliuer the poindis 1535 Stewart 45695.
Thir brybouris bald … Ilk da greit spulȝie in sindrie partis maid(b) 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 228 (see 1 a, b (1) (b) above). 1596 Dalr. II 371/6.
Huntlei … makes the secund spoylie, doeng gret skayth, parte throuch burneng, parte reiuing, returnes hame ladne with a fatt pray 1611 Reg. Privy C. IX 240.
[They commonly resort to the hunting within the said bounds, where they … ] mak a grite spoyll of the gayme [and destroy the woods] 1656 Johnston Diary III 47.
God had justly payed us hom our airmyes spoyleȝes mad in Ingland and Irland(c) 1554 Corr. M. Lorraine 392.
Spewlleis(3) 1521 Aberd. B. Rec. I xxxv.
[The provost] exponit the … crwell spoulȝe, and havy oppressioun, doune to him, to dyverse vtheris nychtbouris … sic as … spoulȝe of thair movabill guidis and hereing of thair purtenentis [etc.] 1521 Aberd. B. Rec. I xxxv.
[The council resolved to complain to the king and ask redress of the] gret oppressioun and cruell spoulȝe dovne to the said burght, fischingis and fredomis of the samyn(b) 1551 Hamilton Cat. 261.
We suld nocht desire our corporal sustentatioun to be gottin be wrangus wayis, as be falset, theft, spoilye, or ony injureis done to our nychtbour 1570 Leslie 148. 1653 Sc. N. & Q. 2 Ser. II 43.
A watch for securing those parts … from the incursion of those … people which dayly breake downe upon them doeing great spoyle and carying away much goods(c) 1562 Linlithgow Sheriff Ct. 16 May.
Quha being suorne be thair gret aithis denyit ony spulȝe done be thame(4) 1570 Leslie 12.
Throch all the partis of the cuntrie thair wes used greit spulyeis and oppressione, without any feir or puneisment(5) 1479 Acta Conc. I 28/2.
Becaus schir Archbald Cunigburgh prest was at the makin of the said spulȝe, the lordis ordanis that lettres be writtin to his ordinar, the bischope of Glasgw, to call him tharfor & punys him as efferis 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 97.
Thai … was at the committing of the sade spulȝe and hereschip 1503 Acts II 242/1.
Anent recent spulȝe that it salbe lefull to the partij quhilk is spulȝeit to sumond the spulȝear apoun xv dais befor the lordis sa that he mak his saidis sumondis within xv dais nixt eftir the committing of the said spulȝe 1544 Reg. Privy S. III 139/1.
For tressonable rasing of fyre … and committing of spulye c1575 Balfour Pract. 465.
The committar of spuilȝie sould mak restitutioun, pay the expensis, and ane unlaw to the king 1622-6 Bisset I 195/9.
The committare of the spulȝe intrometted witht ane pairt of the guidis a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 109.
A discharge given to one of the committers of the spuilȝie exoners the haill complices(b) 1605 Bk. Dunvegan I 215.
Having obtainit kinges letteris and chairges against the said Rorie … and utheris quhairsumever the said personis comittand of the said spulle maid refawndit as lykways in the saidis letteris at lenth is contenit

d. To call (and persew) (a person) (to a court) for (the) spulȝe (of something), to persew (and call, folow) (a person) for (the) spulȝe (of something), to summon (to a court) or prosecute (a person) for (alleged) spoliation or theft (of something). Also as the direct object of the verb. Cf. Persew v. 5.(1) 1491 Acta Aud. 147/1.
He persewit & folowit Gabriell of Towris for the spulȝe of twa hors 1504–5 Liber Melros II 602.
The tennandis of the said landis aucht nocht to be callit to the scherref courtis bot for spulȝe and all vthir poyntis … to be referrit to the abbotis court c1575 Balfour Pract. 155.
Nane of thame may call utheris for the spuilȝie of ony ky, nolt, horse, gold, money … gif the samin was committit … befoir the making of the said generall discharge c1575 Balfour Pract. 471.
Gif ony man, beand persewit for spuilȝie of ony gudis and geir, alledgis that he lauchfullie poindit the saidis gudis, and thairfoir did na wrang nor spuilȝie, the samin sould be admittit to his probatioun c1575 Balfour Pract. 476.
He may call and persew the intromettaris with the saidis teindis for spuilȝie thairof a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 111.
Found that the wyfe might not be persewed efter her husband's deceas for spuilȝie alleadgeat committed be her in her husband's companie(b) 1569 Misc. Spald. C. III 245.
The danger mai be gryt gif ony personis … sall call him and his freinds … for spwllȝe, thairfor my Lord Regentis Grace permittis to … obteine … a descardge … for all actionis civile of spwllȝeis [pr. spwwlȝeis], reiffis, or oppressions committit be thame(c) 1588 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 21 Aug.
He may persew thame & call thame for recent spoilȝe(2) a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 109.
The relict may not persew spuilȝie committit against her umquhill husband a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 195.
Quher the partie may persew aither for spuilȝie or contraventione … if he persew spuilȝie and get decreit in his favours, he may not therefter persew contraventione for the same cause

2. Action or proces of (for) spulȝe, a legal process or claim concerned with spoliation. Also, once, in collocation with cause. Cf. 4 below.(1) 1457–8 Acta Conc. II xv.
Quhilkis accionis of spoilȝe consistis in twa maneris, the first is spoliacione of movabill gudis nother tuiching fee nor heretage … the second spoliacione that is to say done because of landis or possessionis debatable or grondyt apone fee and heretage 1492–3 Acta Conc. I 271/2.
It sall be lefull to him to summond and persew the said erle or ony vtheris personis that plesis him for the said actioun of spuilȝe 1506 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 51.
The Assis continevit the actioun of spulȝe betuix George Meldrum … & the lady of Tochone … anent the spoliacioun of tua oxin to the nixt heid Shiref Court 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 188.
The said schiref deput wes suspect to be juge to him in ane actione of spoilȝeit contenit in ane precept 1520 Fife Sheriff Ct. 202.
In the actioune of spoilȝhe persewit in jugement be Alexander Kyncaid and Margaret Crag … upone Maister James Kynnynmontht … that is to say of the spoliacione of four oxone & twa horse furtht of thar pleuch & grond of Pitscotty Westir and als [etc.] c1575 Balfour Pract. 466.
In actiounis of spuilȝie or ejectioun, factum ipsum, that is, the committing of the said spuilȝie or ejectioun, may be provin be witnessis; the quhilk beand provin, the avail, quantitie and prices of the saidis gudis spuilȝeit aucht and sould be referrit to the persewar's aith 1612 Acts IV 500/1.
The said actioun of spoilȝie, … could not be intentit in dew tyme a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 224.
All actions of spuilȝie, ejections and wthers of that natur should be perseued within thrie yeirs efter the committing therof 1630-1651 Gordon Geneal. Hist. 535.
He hade ane action of spuillie against him, for the goods he hade caused take out of Southerland 1680 Aberd. Council Lett. VI 213.
For they can gett nothing thorrow in that actione of spulȝie until the Comissione be reported 1682 Decis. Lords F. 16.
An action of spulȝie pursued by Straiton against Preston for poynding of labouring goods in labouring time — 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 232.
In the action & cause of spoilȝe persewit be Williame Nicholl upone Williame Lausone of ane coppir catill(b) 1568–9 Glasgow Prot. IV 6.
The saidis Agnes … dischargeit all actioune of spwilȝe that scho mycht intent … agane the saidis Johne(2) 1504–5 Liber Melros 602.
And tharfor ordanis the said schirref … to decist and ceis in tyme tocum of the calling of the said landis of Hertsyd in thar courtis for sute or presence or the tennandis & inhabitantis tharof for ony actions bot for spoylȝe or sic actionis that pertenis nocht to the baroun court 1681 Stair Inst. iv xxx § 1.
The action for spuilȝie of moveable goods differs very little from the summons of ejection, save in this, that ejection is dispossession of the possessor in heritable rights by infeftment, and spuilȝie is the dispossession of the possessor in moveables(3) 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 13 (see 4 b (2) below). 1667 Glasgow Chart. II 129.
With full power to them … to enter to the possessioune of the said maner place … but any danger or process of ejectioune, intrusioune, spuilȝie or any other actioune or danger to be incurred be them therthrow, or persewed against them therefore 1708 Old Ross-shire I 45.
George Munro of Newmore, … and others having been pursued at the said Mr. Douglas's instance in a process of spoulȝie of teynds before the Lords of Session

3. a. Decrete of spulȝe, a (written) decision or judgment made in regard to an instance of spoliation. b. Summondis of spulȝe, a document requesting the presence in court of an alleged wrongdoer with regard to an instance of spoliation.a. 1517 Misc. Spald. C. II 77.
Decreet of spulȝie … of thir gudis vnder writtin, spulȝeit and takin be the saidis personis … it is ordanit [etc.] 1517 Renfrew Arch. Coll. I 110.
Ane decret of spulȝe optenit be hir apoun the said lord 1538 Reg. Privy S. II 392/1.
The gift of the eschete of the gudis … obtenit be Robert Dvne … apoun the said Walter and utheris, be ane decreit of spulȝe gevin be the lordis of counsale aganis thame tharupoun 1611 Bk. Dunvegan I 215.
[A discharge … ] of all spulȝeis wrangis, oppressioneis, dets, craiffingis and expensis of the decreit of spulȝie raisit by him against Rorie 1630 Reg. Privy C. 2 Ser. III 521.
To caus his clerk of the Admiralitie to extract and draw furth to the saids compleaners the decreit of spuilyie recovered before him at thair instance a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 108.
Decreit of spuilȝie of teynds, given aganies the tennant quho peyes maill and dewtie for the stock and teind conjunctlie, should be suspendit quhill the quantitie of the teynd be proven, and that not be the persewar's oath, bot the wittnesses a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 177 (see 1 a, b (1) above).b. 1549 Breadalbane Doc. No. 168.
The said Jhone Menȝeis hes ranuncyt to persew … the said Jhone Campbell … anent ane summondis of spowillȝe rasyt 1565 Edinb. Univ. MS La. III 388a fol. 1b.
That all privilegit materis togeader with sumondis of recent spuilȝie sould be callit oulklie 1565 Edinb. Univ. MS La. III 388a fol. 13a.
Spulȝei c1575 Balfour Pract. 149.
In all summoundis of spulȝie of ony gudis and geir, possessioun beand libellit be vertue of an titill, the titill aucht to be producit 1597 Skene Verb. S. s.v. Breve.
Breve denova dessasina, … Is the brieue or summondes of ejection, or spuilȝie … nova dissasina signifies alswa spuilȝie, maisterful, wrangous, or violent spoliation & away taking of moueable guds and geare a1633 Hope Major Pract. II 112.
Summonds of recent spuilȝie may be execuit upon 15 dayes wairneing, provydeing they be execuit within 15 dayes efter the committing of the spuilȝie

4. A legal action for spoliation. Cf. 2 above. 1575 Edinb. B. Rec. IV 40.
For eschewing of the spulȝe libellit be the said Dull for his schip allegit taikin fra him in Lochbrowme 1596 Melvill 340.
For eschewing the faschrie and danger of spuilyie 1612 Orkney & Shetl. Ct. Bk. 22.
Gif they sall happin to be fund the thrid tyme it sall be lesum to the pairtie finder or challenger … to slay the said swyne but dainger of pryce, spuilye or uther dainger of law quhatsumever 1666 Justiciary Ct. Rec. I 141.
The pannell cannot pass to the knowledge of an assize on the dittay … but the pursuer ought to pursue civilly for a spuillie 1678 Mackenzie Laws & C. i xxvi § 4 (1699) 132.
If the executor did any wrong, he was lyable to a spuilȝie, and his sentence was reduceable 1683 Hawick Mem. 24.
[He] was onlawed in … ane … spuylyea in violentlie taking 4 dukes on the street 1685 Hawick Arch. Soc. (1868) 34/1.
George Renwicke … was onlawed in ane spuylyea by away taking and violently abstracting the timber of ane stair perteining to John Hart

b. Of land or its produce: (To lie) under spulȝe, (to be) the subject of an action for spoliation. Also, once, of people to lie under proces of spulȝe, to be involved in an action for spoliation.(1) 1627 Rep. Parishes 61.
The landis of Curriehill estimat worth seavin chalderis wictuall and vnder spoilyie for the teyndis 1627 Rep. Parishes 62.
The landis of Currie payis as followes the ane halff thairof in stock fyve hundreth merkis and the teyndis vnder spuilyie 1627 Rep. Parishes 62.
Thomas Fleyming his pairt of the said towne payes thrie chalder wictuall of stock lyand wnder spoilyie of the teynd 1627 Rep. Parishes 62.
The landis of Quhytlaw payis threttie sex bollis wictuall of stok and for the teind it lyis vnder danger of spulyie at the instance of the said toun of Edinburgh 1627 Rep. Parishes 63.
The landis of Baleny payis twa hundreth and fyftie merkis for stock and the teyndis thairof lyand wnder spoilyie 1627 Rep. Parishes 138.
The parochin lying wnder tuelf yeiris spoilyea of the parsounage teinds(2) 1626 Edinb. B. Rec. VII 13.
Forsuameikle as the parochiners of the kirk of Currie for the maist pairt ar lyand under proces of spoylyie for the teindes of the crope … sua that Johnne Nisbett factour thair culd nocht fitt his comptes thairfore ordains the same to be omittit furth of the comptes [etc.]

5. Spoil, booty, plunder taken by the victor (of (= from) a battlefield, defeated enemy, captured town, etc.). In early use freq. in reference to the arms and armour taken from a slain or defeated individual. Chiefly coll., also in infl. pl., fig. context and transf.(1) 1507 Treas. Acc. III 393.
To Marchemond herald and his fallowis for the spulȝe of the feild, xx Franch crounis 1513 Doug. i v 106.
Chargit with the spulȝe of the orient 1513 Doug. i vii 119.
Law from his breist murnand he gave a ȝell, Seand the … spulȝe [L. spolia] of the knycht And the corps of his derrest frend sa dight 1513 Doug. iiv 47.
Hector … returnyt to Troy Cled with the spulȝe of hym Achillys 1531 Bell. Boece I 60 (see c below). 1533 Bell. Livy I 31/15, 17.
Romulus eftir this victorie colleckit the riche armour and spuleȝe of King Acron in ane courtlie veschell namyt Feretrum, and ascendit with the said spuleȝe in the toure of capitall 1533 Bell. Livy II 121/9.
Thai thocht richt vnwourthy that he nocht onelie suld defraude thame of the spuleȝe of the tovne of Vola, bot als boist thame with mare iniuris 1535 Stewart 31147 (see c below). 1544 Treas. Acc. VIII 283.
To the men of weir for compositioun of the spulȝe of the castell of Glasqw, in thre hundreth forty crounis of the sonn iij^clxxiiij li. 1549 Compl. 89/9 (see b below). 1551 Hamilton Cat. 102.
Saule … tynt his kingdome, quhairof ane cause was his cowatousnes, quhilk he had to the spulye of Amelech 1571 Ferg. Serm. iii Malachi Sig. D i.
The spuilȝe of the pure is in ȝour housis; ȝe inuaid the possessioun of that quhilk appertenis not vnto ȝow 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 44.
[They] tuik the spolȝie of the said castell a1578 Pitsc. II 118/29 (see b below). 1615 Highland P. III 242.
They slew all the beastiall … and took away all the spoolyee of the yle, onlie reserved the lyves of the enhabitants thereof(b) 1563-1570 Buch. Wr. 44.
Doctor Cranstoun depertit to him largelie of the spoyle of Sanct Saluatouris College 1570 Leslie 182.
The hoill richesse of Edinburgh … wes betrayed … for a parte of the bowtane and spoill thairof 1584-9 Maxwall Commonpl. Bk. Prov. No. 126.
The thochtful care of the riche man causeth the thiefe the sooner to seik the spoyle of him 1611-57 Mure Early Misc. P. ii 10.
The goddesse airmed With proud, presuming Cupid's conquered spoyleinfl. pl. 1562 Knox Ressoning 203.
Abraham and his company were refreshed of the spoolies of there enimies 1616 Crim. Trials III 586.
These Scottis courtioures … thay vse the spuilȝeis of Spartacus … and the fearcenes of Virratus … and the leasingis of the Candians or Cretes(b) 1611-57 Mure Dido & Æneas ii 418.
His curled head with Phrygian mytre guised, With balmed haires, his spoyles enjoyes the rather 1611-57 Mure Spirituall Hymne 100.
Man with paines extremly prest By spoyles of conquer'd Hell 1690 Shields Grievances and Sufferings 54.
They had enriched themselves with the spoylls of the oppressed country(2) 1513 Doug. ii vii 59, etc.
Ful glaidly in that recent spulȝe [L. spoliis] warm Belyf ilk man dyd thame self enarm 1531 Bell. Boece II 370.
Wallace … be fame of his forcy chevelry, become in sic terrour to his fayis, that he returnit with riche spulye [M. spoulȝee], and gret triumphis, … but ony battall 1533 Bell. Livy II 180/19.
He sall estimye all the spuleȝe that he has won at this tyme to ane just valoure a1538 Abell 36a.
The Scottis men trowit that the feild wes tharis. Thai turnit thame to the spulȝe 1535 Stewart 11169.
Corne and cattell all hes led awa, And all the laif … Of that spuilȝie that micht nocht with thame pas, … thai brint [it] all in as 1535 Stewart 25104.
With Scot and Pecht new peax wes maid … The spulȝe all tha gart agane restoir On euerie syde als far as tha mycht get c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 138.
Restoir to hir agane hir geir … That spuilȝie salbe full deir bocht 1558-66 Knox I 458.
The Frenche brunt a baikhouse, and tooke some spuilȝie from the poores of the Cannogait 1572-5 Diurn. Occurr. 44.
The Inglismen … chasit the Scottis borderaris, and slew of thame iij^c futemen waittand on the spoilȝie c1590 Fowler I 102/146.
The spoyle and booting baire a1597-1617 Hist. Jas. VI (1804) 46.
They entring in the castell and palice of Hamiltoun obtenit great spuiliȝe, quhilk thai brocht to Edinburgh to the regent in coffers as it was gottin(b) 1562 Knox Ressoning 203.
The text doeth not affirme that Abraham and his wer nourished onely of the spoile 1596 Dalr. II 290/6.
[They] maid gret slauchter, and a strang spoyl thay bring with thame 1596 Warrender P. (SHS) II 297.
Any uther spoyll or buting 1666-74 Fraser Polichron. 170.
Achindown … returnes home … loadened with spoil, satisfying himselfe for the time with quhat he had alrady done against his enemiesinfl. pl. 1533 Bell. Livy I 118/33.
The spuleȝeis gottin in direpcioun of the said toun extendit alanerly to fourty talentisfig. 1553 Knox III 377.
Frome the handis of Jesus Chryst may nane reif: for seing that he is sent of God his Father, a triumphand victour to conques the kingdome, it suld redound to his dishonour gif any suld tak the spoilȝe fra himtransf. c1590 Fowler I 54/168.
She taketh no account Now whither I sink or yit I fleit … Sic graces now dois grow in hir, such bewtye she dois shroude, That of hir vertew now she gois and of my spuilȝei proude

b. In instances with an indication as to what the booty consisted of. 1513 Doug. ix vii 193.
The spulȝe led away was knaw full rycht, Mesapus rich hewmet schynand brycht, The goldin gyrdill, and trappouris 1513 Doug. xi i 17.
With schynand armour [he] cled the tre; The coyt armour and spulȝe tharon hang Of Meȝentius … In syng of trophe tharon was vpstent Hys cryst and hewmet, … The brokyn trunschions of hys speris rude, And hys fyne hawbyrk, with speir, swerd and macis, … Hys stelyt scheild dyd on the left syde hyng; Abowt hys gorget, or hys nek armyng, Was hung hys swerd with evor scawbart fyne a1538 Abell 39a.
Ane gret spulȝe of men & bestis [was] brocht in Scotland & Pichland 1535 Stewart 20759.
In that spuilȝe … fell to his part Ane courtlie kist wes closit with greit art, Wes full of bukis 1535 Stewart 53352.
Into that place tha landit … And spulȝeit it … Of chaleis, crowat, and censuris also, Corsis, chandillaris, and mony relictis mo, Of siluer fyne nane better on the mold, And vestimentis of birneist silk and gold, And buikis, bellis, and nane better mycht be, Syne with that spulȝe passit to the se 1549 Soc. Ant. XI 90.
To caus restore the spulȝe of the chalice, chrissumstok, eucharest and ornamentis of the altaris of the said kirk 1549 Compl. 89/9.
Thir said princis gat, in the spulȝe of the Frence men, the Kyng of Francis pose, quhilk vas al in engel noblis c1575 Balfour Pract. 640.
We … ordanis that thay sall have all the spuilȝe … of cleithing, harnes, and wappinis of enemies, quhilkis sall be takin be strenth … with the gold and silver that thay sall find upon the marineris … unto the sowme of ten crownis … And gif it beis mair, it sall remane to bute and parting a1578 Pitsc. II 118/29.
The Orknay men gat gret spuilȝie of the Inglismen at that tyme bayth of siluir and gould wictuallis and arteilȝerie waponis and harnas 1596 Dalr. II 6/25.
The spoylȝe, the gold and siluer that Scotland in this victorie obteynet, and the number of captiues tane, made Scotland rycher than evir it was afor 1622-6 Bisset II 225/7.fig. 1533 Gau 48/24, 25.
Jesus Christ … as ane stark king spulȝeit the dewil of his kingdome and twik that spulȝe to hime selff throw power of his halie passione and brocht furtht this spulȝe quhilk wesz the halie saulis and brocht thayme to his kingdome c1590 Fowler I 76/243.
That glorious dame did all hir spoyle expose … Victorious leawes and sacred palmes which she before had tane And reft from loweinfl. pl. 1531 Bell. Boece I 110.
First wer schawin his hors, harnes, barding, and riche spulyeis; quhilkis war gottin in the feild aganis him 1533 Bell. Livy I 31/24.
O Jupiter feretri, I King Romulus, triumphand here with victorie abone myne inemyis, offeris now thir solempne spuleȝeis & armour to thi honoure and loving

c. In instances to do with the division of spoils amongst the victors. c1520-c1535 Nisbet Luke xi 22.
Bot gif a forcyare man than he cummis vponn him, and ouercum him, he sal tak away all his armour in quhilk he traistit, and sal dele about his spoilyeis 1531 Bell. Boece I 24.
The pray and spulye of this battall was equaly devidit [M. the spoulȝeis being equalie devidit] amang the two pepil [sc. the Scots and Picts], effering to thair manheid and prowes 1531 Bell. Boece I 60.
Thay returnit to the same partis quhare the Britonis war campit afore, and partit the spulye thairof be custum of armis 1533 Bell. Livy II 180/10.
Camillus votit the x parte of all the spuleȝe that was won at Veos to Appollo 1535 Stewart 13592.
[They] Deuydit hes the spulȝe thame amang; Rycht equallie to lad, to lord and laird, As he wes worth, gaif him to his reward 1535 Stewart 31147.
The spulȝe of the feild, Richt equallie to euerie man and cheild Diuydit hes into greit quantitie, To puir and riche efter his facultie c1550 Lynd. Meldrum 112.
Twa men of weir … Quhilk wer richt cruell men and kene, Partand the spuilȝie thame betwene a1578 Pitsc. I 76/16.
The spoillȝe was partit amangis the Scottismen efter the rait of airmes a1578 Pitsc. II 146/29.
They … past in all haist to the chairterhouse and thair tuike the pryour and spullȝeit the place and gaif the spullȝe to the toun(b) 1596 Dalr. I 145/33.
Eftir the manir of the weiris he distributes the pray and the spoyle to his men rounde about; and to thame quhais kinn or freinds war loste in the weiris, he gaue large rewardesinfl. pl. 1533 Boece 224b.
Quhen the spuleȝeis brocht fra all partis of the warld war bereft, thai war devidit nocht equalie, bot conforme to the ritis of Gothis, having consideracioun of meritis of the weremen 1531 Bell. Boece I 114.
The Pichtis … slew two capitanis of Romane sodjouris … and partit thair spulyeis amang thair fallowis 1533 Bell. Livy I 18/27.
Thai devidit the pray and spuleȝeis quhilkis war takin fra the saidis theiffis amang the remanent hirdis of that regiounfig. 1554 Knox III 195.
God will not part spoyle with the Devill

d. Stolen goods more generally, property acquired through theft. 1560 Peebles B. Rec. I 271.
The said Katherine persewit the said Gilbert Brovne Johne Wilsone and Robert Wilsone … of the spule allegit spulyeit be … Johne and Robert Wilsone

6. Remains of an animal, ? entrails, offal. 1533 Boece 64b.
Thay institute certane lawis of hunting. And first to the man quhais hound first invadit the hart, following the beist to dede, suld fall the skyn, the hede with hornys to the man quhais hound ledderit nixt. The beist being curyit, at discrecion of the president, the foure quartaris suld be distribute; amangis the houndis … suld the bowellis and spuleȝe [of the hart] be partit

7. Damage; harm. 1610 Misc. Hist. Soc. II 223.
The Quene hir person libertie & lyffe to be & remain in extreme danger withe no les harme wreak & spoyle to the cuntrie 1634 Stirling's Royal Lett. II 765.
Ther may be some loss or spoyle of some of these particulars