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

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First published 2001 (DOST Vol. IX).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Stentour, n.² Also: -ar, -air, -er, stinter. [Stent v.²] An official in charge of assessing and raising taxes. Cf. Stentma(i)ster n.(a) 1479–80 Prestwick B. Rec. 29.
Esabell Allansone was accusit for the sclandering of the officiaris of the towne, & speciali of the stentaris of the stallangearis 1519–20 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 55.
Stenteris 1535–6 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 165.
Thir ar the stentouris chossin with avys of the communite of Selkyrk … Ve ordand the rest of this last taxatioun to be serssit and inbrocht be our balyeis … and to mak ane coumpt the sammyn in presens of our stentairis forsaid 1535–6 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 165.
The forsaidis inquisitouris, stentouris, with avys of the communite, hes oblist thaim, thairis ayris, executouris and assignes to stand with body and geiris, gud counsaill, supple ferme and stabyll in all and syndry thingis the forsaidis procuratouris leidis to be done … in our just defens 1556 Glasgow Merchants House 15.
[Different persons specially appointed as] stentaris for the merchants [from those nominated for the crafts] for ingathering of the tax laitlie devisit to be tane of the burrowes 1574 Reg. Privy C. II 413.
Chargeing heirfoir … the stentaris nominat for setting and making of the said taxatioun, to send and present thair stent roll maid thai[r]upoun be ane or ma of thair stentaris 1577 State P. (Reg. H.) No. 99.
Johne Carmychaell … or Macolme Douglas … stentouris to oure said regent 1580 Mill Mediæv. Plays 161.
[They] chesit thir personis … stentaris and taxtaris … to stent the same vpon the nychtbouris 1598 St. A. Kirk S. 851.
Thair wes chosin to be stentouris for the towne, to mak ane roll of contribution to the puir, Dauid Watson, Dene of Gild [etc.] 1629 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. II 334.
[Sir Alexander Cuming of Culter and Alexander Seattoune of Petmedden were appointed] taxteris, stentars and collectours [of these allowances] 1629 Fraserburgh Kirk S. II 16 Dec.
The sessioun hes appoyntit the stentaris in the landward to be collectaris & resaueris of the said money … in landward 1636 Elgin Rec. I 255.
Stentaris of taxatione. Eight stentaris appoyntit for laying of the tounes taxatione 1645 Aberd. B. Rec. IV 49.
And the saids inhabitants grantit to the said taxation, and chuisit the persons following as stentars thairof 1650 Banff Ann. I 136.
[The burgh … ordain that, on the first notice of the outputting of the levy, stenters shall be chosen to stent for the same] 1651 Dumfries Council Min. MS 24 Nov.
William Wellis to be collector for the Kirkgait [and other collectors] … quho ar to receve ther rolles to morrow from the stenters and goe about the collectioun therof vpon Thursday 1661 Lanark B. Rec. 186.
Appointes sex monethes mentenance to be cassin be the stentouris for payment of Bogie … and ane moneth for the excyse(b) 1622 Linlithgow B. Rec. 8 Nov. 1628 Linlithgow B. Rec. 19 Sept.
To the stinteris to be wairnit to pas wpoune the downe setting of the said exstint