recredentialn.
/riːkrᵻˈdɛnʃl/, U.S. /ˌrikrəˈdɛn(t)ʃ(ə)l/ Now historical.
A recredential letter (see recredential adj.). Frequently in plural.
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society > law > legal document > authenticating document > [noun] > document certifying bearer > letter of credence or commendation > of returning ambassador
recredential1642
letter of recreance1677
letter of recredence1702
1642 J. Averie Let. 29 Apr. in Trans. Royal Hist. Soc. (1901) 15 165 After I had dined wth his Highnes, I tooke my leaue that afternoone first of himselfe and afterwards of his Mother and Grandmother the two Electoresse Dowagers, and had recredentialls from them all deliuered vnto me.
1654 B. Whitelocke Jrnl. Swedish Ambassy (1772) II. 119 To see that..the re-credentialls to Whitelocke, should be perfected and brought to him.
1707 Earl of Manchester Let. 1 July in C. Cole Mem. Affairs of State 1697–1708 (1733) 458 I took leave of the Duke of Savoy..on the 24th past, as your Lordship will see by the Recredential I have inclosed.
1712 Sir R. Sutton Despatches 21 Dec. (1953) 149 The Empr's Internuntius,..to whome the Vizir had already delivered his Recredentials.
1760 P. Francis Let. 11 Oct. in Francis Lett. (1901) I. 57 I earnestly hope the next paquet may bring our Recredentials.
1805 Times 20 Sept. 2/1 The Count De Taube, Minister Plenipotentiary from his Serene Highness the Elector of Wurtemberg, who presented the recredentials of the Baron De Steube, his predecessor and his own credentials.
1909 Eng. Hist. Rev. 24 256 He obtained his recredentials on 18 October 1666.
1931 C. Hodges Background Internat. Relations 242 Missions are terminated by ‘letters of recall’, the response to which is the ‘recredential’ that formally gives the expression of regret appropriate to the occasion of the withdrawal of an envoy.
1946 Internat. Affairs 22 62 He asks the Head of the Foreign State for his recredentials, which are a letter to His Majesty commending the envoy for his discharge of his duties.
1968 W. L. Tung Internat. Law in Organizing World 261 This is the so-called recredential (lettre de récréance).
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
recredentialadj.
/riːkrᵻˈdɛnʃl/, U.S. /ˌrikrəˈdɛn(t)ʃ(ə)l/ Now historical.
Of a letter: sent by a government to its ambassador for presentation to the government of the country from which the ambassador is recalled, or given by the government of the country from which an ambassador has been recalled for presentation to the latter's government. Occasionally as postmodifier.
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1639 R. Sydney Let. 15 Feb. in 12th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS. (1889) II. App. ii. 213 I do not think that it was ever known that one who had the honour to be the King's ambassador should be recalled without his Majesty's recredential letters.
1710 London Gaz. No. 4698/1 Count Velo..has insisted upon his having an Audience of Leave, and Recredential Letters from the Emperor.
1713 Sir R. Sutton Despatches 15 Jan. (1953) 155 He..insisted to remain in quality of Internuntius, and send His Secretary to Vienna with the Sultan's Letter Recredential.
1725 London Gaz. No. 6367/1 Prince Galliczin..having been recalled and received his Recredential Letters, is to have..his Audience of Leave of his..Majesty.
1761 Earl of Bristol Let. 23 Nov. in Papers relative Rupture with Spain (1762) 37 The Comte de la Tour, Ambassador from the Court of Turin, presented his Re-credential Letters Yesterday to the Catholick King, in a private Audience.
1842 H. O. Coxe Catal. MSS Libr. All Souls Coll. 58/2 Letters ‘recredential’ of Mr. Savile retiring from the French court; March, 1682. fol. 1.
1942 B. Field Bride of Glory 942 I haven't yet received my recredential letters.
1969 J. Russell Nelson & Hamiltons v. 118 Sir William presented his recredential letters on April 21.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2009; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1642adj.1639