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/3093 Margret Reauch

name of accused
Margret Reauch
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/2954
Case date start
6/4/1597
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

  • unorthodox religious practise (secondary characteristic)
  • demonic (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (primary characteristic)
  • other (secondary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
  • other text sexual misconduct
Characterisation Notes
Seems to also have been in trouble for sexual misconduct and had been excommunicated in the past.

Qualitative information

Non-natural beings

Notes
Confessed that the devil appeared in her bed between herself and her ?harlot, William Richie. Also said that if she was to die as a witch then he should do so as well because if she was a witch then he was one too.
  • Unspecified Devil

Demonic pacts

  • no information

witches meetings

  • Devil present
Notes
None

Meeting places

  • her own house House

musical instruments

  • no information

Folk culture

  • Specific ritual acts
  • Unorthodox religious practice
Notes
Seen hugging the corners of a man's house at dawn. He later took ill and died. Prophesied that a man who had taken on a property would lose it all. Seen to have thrown stones in water, which then appeared to dance. No details about what they were for. Seen to turn the bowl of her shears 3 times in the mouth of her sheep.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Prophesy

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Stones
  • Water
  • Shears

Religious motif

  • Three

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Animal illness
  • Animal death
Notes
Accused of causing a man's illness and death. She was seen hugging the corners of his house at dawn. Seen to have metted a sheep, the threw water between her feet and into the sheep's face. The sheep died.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Whole Estate

    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 184-6, 191-2. Order to be apprehended. Notes recorded by minister Mr John Ross.
    Aberdeen City Archives Press 18/64, Witchcraft no. 3. None