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/JO/2830 Elspeth Philipp

name of accused
Elspeth Philipp
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/2723
Case date start
29/7/1661
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)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
pact confessed but no other details
additional persons
name involvement notes
no additional persons recorded

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
devil promised her she would want for nothing
  • Male little, black man
  • Male in green cothes

Demonic pacts

  • Anti-baptism
  • Servant
  • Head and foot

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
  • Devil present
  • Dancing
Notes
None

Meeting places

  • 'moremaddenhole' Leith
  • the 'Latch' Edinburgh
  • None Burn

musical instruments

  • Pipe

Folk culture

Notes
met the devil at oatseedtime (spring).

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • no information

Elf/fairy elements

  • Green

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • no information

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

Notes
None

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
High Court Process Notes JC 26/27, bundle 1, item 3. document appears to be copy of her confession but it is not signed. JCs to be re-catalogued at future date so check with NAS staff.