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/2163 Issobell Richie

name of accused
Issobell Richie
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/2110
Case date start
24/4/1597
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

  • consulting (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (primary characteristic)
  • Implicated by another (secondary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
The accused was found guilty on four points of her dittay, but it does not record which ones. She confessed to taking another woman and introducing her to the meetings and causing the death of several people.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
Dittay recorded that Richie attended meetings and received 'honours' from the devil, her master. She does not appear to have confessed to anything specific. No other details of pact described.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • Tacit pact

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
  • Devil present
  • Malificium
  • Dancing
Notes
Dittay recorded that she confessed to attending meetings - but no details.

Meeting places

  • between Lumphanan and Cragleuch

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

  • Specific ritual acts
  • Sympathetic magic
Notes
Weighed pillows that, when given back to the person, caused them to die. Given a belt from Spaldarge (as a sign of her pact with the devil) which she used to cause the death of several people. Also used a stick tied with red thread, which she used to remove bewitchment. Claimed that she predicted a woman would have only boys. She had 6 but they did not live. Gave a pot filled with 'devylische confectionis' to one woman, who later died.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Prophesy

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Pillows
  • Belt
  • Branch
  • Thread
  • Pot

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • Halloween

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Removal bewitchment
  • Healing humans
Notes
Asked to remove a bewitchment from a woman at the request of her mother. Used a stick with red thread. The bewitchment had been caused by another named witch.

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, p 140-2, 154-6. Second entry records the trial and verdict.
Spalding Club Miscellany Vol V, p 67 financial accounts of her execution.