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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.

Spelar, -are, -air, n. [LG speler a player, an actor.] One who performs for another's entertainment; specif., a rope dancer or an acrobat. Also attrib.(1) 1496 Treas. Acc. I 322.
To the tawbronar that playit to the King and the spelare with him xxvij s. 1501 Treas. Acc. II 55.
For ane maid cote of carsay, blew and grene, maid to the spelair, and for ane sark and schone to him xiiij s. v d. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 58.
For ane maid doublat of treilȝee to the spelar x s. 1501–2 Treas. Acc. II 132.
To the spelair that ȝeid on the cord, be the kingis command, x Franch crounis; summa vij li. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 151.
To the spelaris in Strivelin xiiij s. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 334.
Item, to the spelair, his quartar pensioun xij li. x s. 1503 Treas. Acc. II 387.
To the Inglis spelair, that playit the supersalt, v Franch crounis; summa iij li. x s.attrib. 1502 Treas. Acc. II 145.
Be the Kingis command, to the spelar boy callit Francis de Luca, xx Franch crounis; summa xiiij li.(2) 1501 Treas. Acc. II 96.
To Petir de Luca and Francis de Luca, spelair, in part of thair pensioun of l li., xx Franch crounis(3) 1502 Treas. Acc. II 153.
The samyn day, be the kingis command, to Petir de Luca, the spelaris master xlij s. 1502–3 Treas. Acc. II 335.
To the spelaris maister his quartar payment of this terme of Candilmes bipast, xij li. x s.