Letters of fire and sword
An obsolete Scottish legal warrant
Letters of fire and sword were a Scottish legal instrument. If a criminal resisted the law and refused to answer his citation, it was considered treason in the Scottish courts; and “letters of fire and sword” were sent to the sheriff, authorising him to use either or both these instruments to apprehend the contumacious party.[1]
Well known letters issued
Letters of Fire and Sword were issued against the following clans:
- Clan Gregor under James the VI
- Clan Chattan under James the V
- Clan Cameron
References
- ^ Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1898, page 464, Fire and Sword
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable 1898 edition page 464 entry Fire and Sword
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