Sc. Obs. [Of doubtful derivation: ON. kaup stipulation, wages, pay, suits the form, and perhaps the sense; but a Celtic origin would a priori be expected.] (See quot. 1597.)
1489. Act Jas. IV. (1597), § 18. Certaine Gentlemen … heads of kin in Galloway hes vsed to take Caupes.
1597. Skene, De verb. signif., Caupes, Calpes, in Galloway and Carrict, signifies ane gift, sik as horse, or vther thing, quhilk ane man in his awin life-time, & liege poustie giues to his Maister, or to onie vther man, that is greatest in power and authoritie, and speciallie to the head & chiefe of the clan, for his maintenance & protection, like as for the samin effect and cause, sindrie persons payis Black-maill to thieues, or mainteiners of thieues, contrair the laws of this realme. Bot in the Iles and Hie-lande of this Realme, the Calpes are presentlie payed be him, quha oblishis him theirfore, after his decease. Swa the Hereȝelde is payed be provision of the Law: and Calpe is given be speciall paction and obligation, baith the ane and the vther, after the decease of the debtor. Ane notable oppression is vsed in taking vp of the Caupe. Ibid. (1609), Reg. Maj., xxiii. 137. Caupes sould not be taken be gentlemen, and heads of the kin in Galloway, and Carrick, vnder the paine of oppression.
1617. Act Jas. VI., xxi. The Vnlawfull taking from them, after their deceisse, vnder the name of Caulpes, of their best aucht, whether it be Oxe, Meare, Horse, or Cowe.
1885. Edin. Rev., April, 326. Caulpes which were fines on the death of a Vassal or a tenant.
