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/3096 Kathrene Fernsche

name of accused
Kathrene Fernsche
designated title
no information
Accused Reference
A/JO/2957
Case date start
10/4/1597
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

  • folk healing (secondary characteristic)
  • maleficium (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (secondary characteristic)
  • not enough information (primary characteristic)
  • white magic (secondary characteristic)
Characterisation Notes
None

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

  • Specific ritual acts
Notes
Gave a woman a 'tabblet' and a ring to use as a love magic talisman.

Counter strategies

  • no information

white magic

  • Love magic

Elf/fairy elements

  • no information

Shape-changing

  • no information

Ritual objects

  • Ring

Religious motif

  • no information

Calendar customs

  • no information

Diseases or illness

  • Human illness
  • Human death
  • Animal death
  • Transferring disease
  • Healing humans
Notes
Her son claimed that his mother had promised that her magic would protect him (it did not as he was hanged). Also cured a man but transferred the sickness to his sister. Stole livestock.

Cause of witch's malice

  • no information

Other maleficia

  • Property damage

    • Damage to property

    • Animals

    weather modification

    • no information

    Notes
    Stole a man's livestock and killed some his other beasts.

    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
    None
    references
    name notes
    Spalding Club Miscellany vol I, p 187-8. None