The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

By Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, January 2003

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Case Details

C/EGD/1276 Giles Chalmer

name of accused
Giles Chalmer
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/1264
Case date start
27/8/1633
Given case date
no information
Case commission
no information
case complaint
no information
case correspondence
no information
case chronicle
no information
other details
no information

characterisation

  • consulting (secondary characteristic)
  • political motive (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
They were probably using some minor magic taught to them by John Philip, but they were not directly accused of witchcraft and their accuser had an ulterior motive.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
None
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
Used an enchantment to make their oat field more productive than their neighbours.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Protective

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Healing animals
Notes
They supposedly hired and consorted with John Philip and Walter Baird. Philip supposedly instructed them in charming beasts.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

Damage to property

  • no information

weather modification

  • no information

Notes
None

Other charges

  • no information

Notes
None

Plea

Claimed bewitched
no
Claimed possessed
no
Admitted lesser charges
no
No defence
no
Claimed natural causes
no
Notes
None
Case Notes
None
references
name notes
RPC 2nd S, v5 p. 179-189 None
RPC 2nd S, v5 p. 565-566 None
RPC 2nd S, v5 p. 570-571 testificate from a minister of good conduct.
RPC 2nd S, v5 p. 574-575 summons against their accuser