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/2158 Isobell Strauthaquhin

name of accused
Isobell Strauthaquhin (alias Scudder)
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/2105
Case date start
21/1/1597
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)
  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (primary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Seems to have been consulted for healing advice but often this was because she had caused the harm or could transfer it elsewhere. Main accusations relate to damage and malefice.

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

  • Elphane or Fairyland
  • Specific ritual acts
  • Unorthodox religious practice
  • Sympathetic magic
Notes
Claimed her mother learned her skill from an elf man who had lain with her. Used paper and threads to stop a woman's husband from beating her. Used coin and red wax wrapped in cloth, to ensure marriages. The talisman was to be worn about the neck and when the desired partner was seen it was to be used to strike the face. Turned a new born baby three times, baby then died. Cured oxen by tying them with a collar/bridle. When they were released the person who released them took ill and died. Accused of bewitching doors/thresholds. Later either the next person to touch the door or animal to cross over, took ill and died. Took dead people's bones and rinsed them in water. The water was then used to cure a sick person and the bones to be thrown into the River Don. The river 'rumlit as all the hills hed fallin thairin'. Took burning coal at Hallowe'en and buried it in her yard.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Love magic
  • Prophesy

Elf/fairy elements

  • Male fairy (elf)

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Coin
  • Paper
  • Thread
  • Cloth
  • Water
  • Bone
  • Wax
  • Coal
  • Bridle/collar

Religious motif

  • Three

Calendar customs

  • Halloween

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
  • Transferring disease
  • Quarreling
  • Rec. healer
  • Healing humans
  • Healing animals
Notes
Accused of having cast sickness and death onto humans and animals for various reasons. Also consulted to heal sick animals and humans. Seems to have been a marriage maker as well.

Cause of witch's malice

  • Revenge
  • Failed business interaction
  • Physical insult

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Animals
    • Whole Estate
    • Mill

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    Accused of having caused a man to marry beneath him. Later the man and his wife lost everything and became beggers. Accused of damaging mill wheels after being refused meal.

    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. 177-182. See also ACA, Press 18/64, witchcraft no. 1.
    Spalding Club Miscellany Vol V, 66. Accounts for execution.