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/1315 Helen Lausone

name of accused
Helen Lausone
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/1303
Case date start
9/6/1649
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

  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • Implicated by another (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Named by Issobell Murray who confessed to demonic pact and meetings although no details from Lauson's confession.
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
No details about Lauson's relationship with the devil but as Murray gave many details about pact it is likely that it was implied for. Claimed by Murray that the devil appeared as a man.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

Notes
It was claimed that she attended meetings at Paiston where there was dancing and others present.

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
None

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

Notes
None

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 series, viii, pp. 193. Named in Issobell Murray's confession but no details of her own confession.
Haddington Presbytery records CH2/185/6, p 54-5. Note in presbytery that suspect imprisoned, depositions attested and commission to be requested.