The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

1563-1736

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

The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft logo

Case Details

C/EGD/2141 Marioun Grant

name of accused
Marioun Grant
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/2088
Case date start
15/4/1597
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)
  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic (primary characteristic)
  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
None

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
The devil was called Christonday and taught Grant all her healing skills. There was also another devil called 'Our Ladye'.
  • Male
  • Animal Devil unspecified beast
  • Animal Devil black stag
  • Male in silk clothing/white candle in hand
  • Male black man
  • Female dressed in white wylicoat

Demonic pacts

  • Servant
  • New name Dame
  • Sex
  • Want nothing
  • Devil's Mark at wrist

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
  • Devil present
  • Devilworship
  • Dancing
Notes
Grant confessed to worshipping Christonday on her knees and receiving his token in her left hand. Not clear if this was something different from the Devil's mark.

Meeting places

  • own house House
  • assorted fields Field

musical instruments

  • Unspecified

Folk culture

  • Elphane or Fairyland
  • Specific Verbal Formulae
  • Specific ritual acts
  • Unorthodox religious practice
  • Sympathetic magic
Notes
Could charm a sword so that the owner would be protected from harm or injury. Healed using south running water and prayers. Told servant to get the south running water in silence. Incantations included reference to the Trinity and Christonday.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Protective

Elf/fairy elements

  • Midnight
  • Rowan

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Water
  • Tree

Religious motif

  • Cross
  • Three
  • Trinity
  • Prayer
  • Nine

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Healing humans
  • Healing animals
Notes
Could heal cattle and people with south running water.

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
Spalding Club Miscellany Vol I, pp. 170-2, 175-7. None
Spalding Club Miscellany Vol V, pp. 67-8. Accounts for execution. Recorded as Jonet in burgh accounts.