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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.

Spoliacio(u)n(e, Spu(i)lȝeatio(u)n(e, n. Also: spoleatione, spolyacioun, spoli(e)atio(u)n(e, spoliȝatioun, spolȝeatione, spolliatioun(e, spolatioun, -acioun, spoltheatioune, spoilyeation, spoilȝeatioun, spooliatioune, spoolȝiatione, spoulȝeatioun, spulȝiatio(u)n(e, -eacione, -ieatione, spuiliation(e, spuilȝiation, spulatioun. [ME and e.m.E. spoliacioun(e (both 1400), spoliacion (1498-9), spoliation (1607), F. spoliation (16th c.), L. spoliātiōn-, f. spoliāre. Cf. Spuilȝe n. and v. from which there is some formal influence.] Spoliation, depredation, (alleged) theft, sometimes by forceful or violent means; an instance of this. Also const. of the goods stolen or (out) of, fra, etc. the person or place robbed.(a) 14.. Acts I 358/2.
Fresch defforsyng is alsmekill as fresch spoliacioun or a fresch intrusioun 1438 Acts II 32/1.
Spoliacione 1449 Acts II 36/1.
That ony man that beis spulȝeit and cumis befor the king & his consale & plenȝeis of spoliacion and the spoliacion may be previt [etc.] 1455 Misc. Spald. C. IV 129.
The said lord Erle of Huntelie sall wptane full and hale remission … for the act and part of the destructions of the castell of Spynie and Duffhouse, wranguise spoliation of the lords gudes of the samen [etc.] 1457 Acts II 47/2.
The … lordis of the sessione sall haif full power to knawe and decide all spoliacionis … maide fra the day of the coronacione of our souerane lorde the king to [etc.] 1463 Liber Aberbr. II 138.
The actioun … tuichyn the spoliatioun and alienatioun of the landis of the Bucht 1466 Acta Aud. 6/1.
Tuiching the spoliacioune and away takin of I^m stane of lede vre, spulȝeit and takin fra the saide venerable fader out of his landis 1471 Banff Ann. I 20.
For the tyme of reife and quhill the spooliatioune be restorit 1481–2 Acta Aud. 96/1.
Spoliatioune 1490 Irland Mir. III 125/31.
Thar is a maist na maner of syn or iniquite, bot it is committit in wer … and principaly quhen it is committit agane the cristin peple thar is distruccioun of the noblis spoliacioun & oppressioun of the pur [etc.] 1496–7 Acta Conc. II 57.
Spoleatione 1512 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 18.
This inquest deliveris that in cause of spoliatioun persewit befor the alderman and balȝeis [etc.] 1515 Reg. Privy S. I 404/1.
Spolatioun 1527 Antiq. Aberd. & B. III 377.
Alexander Forbes was slane on sudandtie and in spoliatioun of ane pure man 1530 Ex. Processes (Reg. H.) No. viii.
Spolacioun 1565 Reg. Privy S. V i 597/1.
Gif neid be to call and persew for spoliatioun or uthirwyis as accordis of the law 1575 Orkney Oppress. 11.
They were accused and convict to the death in the said court for the spoliation of ane ship of Endein a1578 Pitsc. I 66 marg.
Spolieatioun of kirkis and chapellis 1587–8 Prot. Bk. J. Inglis 4 Feb.
Spoliatione c1641 Soc. Ant. XXV 55.
Spolliatioun c1641 Soc. Ant. XXV 55.
Spolliatioune(b) 1474 Oliphants xxxii.
The dounecasting of the hous of Dupline, and of the spoilyeation of it 1501–2 Wemyss Chart. 118.
Spolyacioun 1549 Banff Ann. I 26.
Alexander Setone … accusitt for the maisterfull violentt spoliȝatioun, away taking, and withhalding of ane mowttone bowk fra Thomas Morisone 1557 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. I 149.
Spoulȝeatioun 1606 Inverness Rec. II 41.
The judges haiffing accusit Donald Forbes … for the wrangous and maisterful spoilȝeatioun under sylence of nicht, and breking of Jhone Jenoris barne 1642 Aberd. Sheriff Ct. III 38.
Spolȝeatione 1668 Melrose Reg. Rec. II 210.
To pay to the said John Fratter … for ther wrongous spoolziatione of his goods(c) 1497–8 Acta Conc. II 99.
The wrangus spulȝeacione of certane nolt, horses, … and uther insicht gudis c1575 Balfour Pract. 500.
He … aucht and sould be decernit to restoir … to the persewar his gudis and geir … togidder with the proffitis quhilk the persewar micht have had of the saidis gudis and geir, fra the time of the spuilȝeatioun and reif thairof, to the day of the geving of decrete for restitutioun of the samin 1587 Perth Hornings V 3b.
Spulȝeatioun 1611 Old Ross-shire I 32.
Spulȝeation 1669 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 55 (1 Dec.).
The wrongous violent and masterfull spulȝiatioune … of ane crumed horn tydie cow with ane black quoy 1675 Aberd. Council Lett. V 437.
We ar sumondit … for spulȝieatione of teynds of the Miltoune of Murthill mortified be Cathrine Rolland to pious usses 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 315 (9 July).
Spulȝiatione 1679 Kirkcudbr. Sheriff Ct. Processes No. 315 (19 July).
Spuilȝeatione 1697 Dallas Stiles 266.
Summonds of spuilȝiation of teinds(d) 1529 Selkirk B. Ct. (ed.) 103.
Ve ordand ane letter of cursing to be rassit for spulatioun and doun casting of our ester barrous a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 138.
Spuiliatione a1633 Hope Major Pract. I 311.
Ane actione persewed … contra the tenents of Parton for spuiliation of teynds(e) 1625 Yester Wr. 364.
Spoltheatioune