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/299 Kathrin Black

name of accused
Kathrin Black
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/EGD/288
Case date start
11/5/1658
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

  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • Implicated by another (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Witness statements said that people overheard her talking about the Devil. But not enough information to make a solid characterisation.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
Mention of giving her daughter over to the Devil. The circuit court handwritting is difficult to make out.
  • no information

Demonic pacts

  • Anti-baptism
  • Devil's Mark
  • Sex

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
Notes
None

Meeting places

  • no information

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
None

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Animal illness
  • Laying on
Notes
Accused of malefices.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • 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
    She was ordered to be released from prison on 28/12/1658 due to ill health (bloody flux). She was tried twice (with two others). In her first trial on 23/3/1659 in the circuit court she was found guilty and ordered to be transported. Until that could be arranged she was to be held in Stirling prison. Apparently after two years of imprisonment they petitioned privy council, who ordered another trial due to irregularities in the first trial. The second trial was a local one, we don't know the outcome.
    references
    name notes
    Circuit Court Books JC10/1 fo. 241v-242v See also Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, V 9, 49-52. The project did not check Larner's reference to this printed secondary source as part of the research.
    RPC 3rd series, vol 1, p 26; 75. First entry records commission ordered for trial (or liberty) to be carried out by 1/9/1661. Later entry extends this period until 1/1/1662.
    High Court Process Notes JC 26/27, 'Margaret Hutcheson' bundle. Order for trial by 1/1/1662 or else accused to be set at liberty.
    Stirling Presbytery records CH2/722/6, pp. 89-97. None
    Circuit Court Books JC10/1 fo. 244v, 245r sentenced to transportation
    Process Notes JC26/24 notice to be released from prison, 28/12/1658.
    Process Notes JC26/24 JPs ordered assize to appear in Edinburgh for the trial of the Alloway/Alloa witches. I don't think this happened.
    Process Notes JC26/26 Bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 2 testificate about her sickness, 12/12/1658.
    Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 17 arraignment list
    Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 8 supplication for appeal of guilty verdict.
    Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 9 another supplication for release from prison, dated 6/3/1659.
    Process Notes JC26/26 bundle 3 'Stirling witches', item 19 supplication for release from prison, 14/12/1658
    Process Notes JC26/26 Stiriling Court Roll None