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/JO/2959 Catharin Lyell

name of accused
Catharin Lyell
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/2825
Case date start
13/12/1649
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)
  • maleficium (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
None

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
Foullthief (or ?foulfiend) - the devil - appeared as a man in her own house. It kissed her but she withdrew from it. Asked how she was able to do so since he was a spirit and she was only flesh and blood. Answered she was very strong.
  • Male

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

  • Witches meeting
  • Devil present
Notes
None

Meeting places

  • her own house House

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

Notes
None

Counter strategies

  • Appeasement

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 death
  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
  • Quarreling
Notes
Accused confessed to causing death of woman and a horse, burning a mill and stealing milk but denied that she had caused the sinking of a ship.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Boats
    • Dairy
    • Mill

    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
    Brechin Presbytery records CH2/40/1, f 83-4. None