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/157 Thomas Greave

name of accused
Thomas Greave
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/146
Case date start
1/8/1623
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

  • unorthodox religious practise (secondary characteristic)
  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • folk healing (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
All about healing, and a few failed healing attempts. He was paid £22 for one cure. A total of 14 items against him. No mention of the Devil at all! But he was shown to have used words and deeds - indicative of witchcraft. No accomplices or anything.
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

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

  • Specific Verbal Formulae
  • Specific ritual acts
  • Unorthodox religious practice
  • Sympathetic magic
Notes
Words and deeds (signs and troles?). Use of unguents

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Water
  • Yarn
  • Fire

Religious motif

  • Nine

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
  • Transferring disease
  • Rec. healer
  • Healing humans
  • Healing animals
Notes
Paid £22

Cause of witch's malice

  • Failed healing

Other maleficia

Damage to property

  • no information

weather modification

  • no information

Notes
None

Other charges

  • Sorcery
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
Books of Adjournal JC2/6 fos. 120r-122r Also found in the High Court Record Index, no. 1 for 1/8/1623
Pitcairn III, p. 555. None