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/3086 Helen Keir

name of accused
Helen Keir
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/2947
Case date start
3/4/1633
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

  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • Implicated by another (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (secondary characteristic)
  • neighbourhood dispute (primary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
Named by Jonet Tailzour but many witnesses gave evidence about her malefice, which often resulted from disputes and insults.

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

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
  • Human death
  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
  • Quarreling
  • Cursing
Notes
She seems to have cursed and quarrelled quite a bit and accusations revolved around perceived harm after arguments.

Cause of witch's malice

  • Failed business interaction
  • Revenge for being called a witch

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Animals
    • Crops
    • Whole Estate

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    Accused of harming goods and gear after insults and disputes.

    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
    Stirling Presbytery records Ch2/722/5. None
    Privy Council Register of Commissions Adv. MA 31.3.10, fo. 55r. None