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/2011 Elspet Gray

name of accused
Elspet Gray
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/1968
Case date start
27/11/1649
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

  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (primary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Neighbourhood dispute as the accused seems to have arguments with witnesses over lack of work or other business deals.

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 ritual acts
Notes
Witness claimed that the accused lit 4 fires in her barn and then threw salt in the fires.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Fire
  • Salt

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
Notes
Witnesses claimed that illness/deaths were caused after the accused had had disputes and arguments over work etc.

Cause of witch's malice

  • Failed business interaction

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Meal
    • Dairy

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    Witnesses claimed that the accused took the milk from their cows and demanded some of their crops/meal. If they refused her demands the crops would end up damaged or spoiled when they took them to the mill.

    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
    Brechin Presbytery records CH2/40/1, f70r, 71r, 73r, 74r, 75v, 78v. None
    None None 'Register of the Presytery of Brechin', pp. 25-208. This printed reference appears to include details from 1659 but there was nothing from this date in the manuscript copy.