Letters of fire and sword

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.

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