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Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

Database Documentation and Description
Contents of this Document
I. Database Description (pp. 2-14)

A. Description
B. Database field types
C. Miscellaneous database information
D. Entity Models
1. Overview
2. Case attributes
3. Trial attributes
II. List of tables and fields (pp. 15-29)
III. Data Value Descriptions (pp. 30-41)
IV. Database Provenance (pp. 42-54)

A. Descriptions of sources used
B. Full bibliography of primary, printed primary and secondary sources
V. Methodology (pp. 55-58)
VI. Appendices (pp. 59-78)

A. Modernised/Standardised Last Names
B. Modernised/Standardised First Names
C. Parish List – all parishes in seventeenth century Scotland
D. Burgh List – Royal burghs in 1707
E. Presbytery List – Presbyteries used in the database
F. County List – Counties used in the database
G. Copyright and citation protocol
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Database Documents
I. DATABASE DESCRIPTION
A. DESCRIPTION (in text form)
DESCRIPTION OF SURVEY OF SCOTTISH WITCHCRAFT DATABASE
INTRODUCTION
The following document is a description and guide to the layout and design of the
‘Survey of Scottish Witchcraft’ database. It is divided into two sections. In the first
section appropriate terms and concepts are defined in order to afford accuracy and
precision in the discussion of complicated relationships encompassed by the database.
This includes relationships between accused witches and their accusers, different
accused witches, people and prosecutorial processes, and cultural elements of
witchcraft belief and the processes through which they were documented. The second
section is a general description of how the database is organised. Please see the
document ‘Description of Database Fields’ for a full discussion of every field in the
database, including its meaning, use and relationships to other fields and/or tables.
Three entity models (overview, case attributes and trial attributes) which are graphic
descriptions of the table structure of the database are also included to provide a visual
map of the database and all the table connections.
DEFINITION OF CONCEPTS
The following is a list of terms and concepts that the research team used and refined
in the course of designing the database and entering the data. This list contains two
types of entries. Some of the entries are terms or concepts that we used to articulate
difficult technical relationships contained in the database. The rest are terms related
to our data – witchcraft accusations. It was necessary to fix some concepts that are
readily used in the scholarship of early modern witchcraft, but which do not always
have precise meanings. The list is in alphabetical order. The project has refined,
defined and used many other terms and concepts not included in this list because each
field needed a precise definition. For a fuller discussion of this kind of detail, please
see ‘Database Field Definitions’.
 Accused Witch – A person denounced for witchcraft, for whom we have evidence
indicating that action (ecclesiastical, civil or both) was pursued.
 Blank field – A field that is left blank indicates that the information is ‘unknown.’
We will not type ‘unknown’ as an option in any of the fields.
 Case - The witchcraft case follows the series of events and specific accusations
that emerged from a denunciation of a person accused for witchcraft that was
pursued by either ecclesiastical and/or civil authorities. The case encompasses the
beginning (i.e. initial denunciation or supposed denunciation), middle (i.e. the
investigation, arrest and trial of an accused witch), and end (i.e. the way the case
ended in dropped charges, a verdict of innocence, or execution) of a witchcraft
accusation. The ‘case’ does not only refer to a trial or trial process but also
includes references to cultural beliefs about witchcraft practice that were found in
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the documents. It should also be pointed out that ‘case’ refers to one individual
who was accused of witchcraft. The term does not refer to a series of trials in a
large witch-hunt.
 Dead Fields – A ‘Dead Field’ is a field into which limited or no data was entered
due to improper fit with the source material. When the database was designed we
created fields for a full range of material that we thought we might find. However
during the course of data entry, we discovered that some of the fields (and tables)
did not correspond to the data. It would be too difficult to remove them, so we
decided to disregard them. A future researcher could use these fields for their own
purposes. See ‘Database Field Types’.
 Mentioned Witch - This refers to an accused witch who was mentioned or

described in the trial of another witch. For some mentioned witches, trial
documents also survive. In this instance we define a separate trial type for the
mention and the trial for the current accused witch. Any information that is known
about a ‘mentioned witch’ will be included; however, for many mentioned witches
little else survives about them.
 Objective Fields – An ‘Objective Field’ is one where the data entered was not
open to interpretation. This kind of field includes things like date, verdict, or
mention of a specific word or concept. Essentially, this is a field where the
researcher recorded a concrete fact or documented occurrence. This kind of field
can be used for statistical analysis.
 Redefined Fields – A ‘Redefined Field’ is a field that has an incorrect or slightly

misleading label. For some fields we redefined them after they were created or
during the course of data entry. The database went through many changes during
the design phase, during which some fields and tables were changed in character.
For example, the table called ‘wdb_DevilAppearance’ was changed to encompass
the appearance of all supernatural and preternatural beings. This kind of change is
noted in the field description and listed in ‘Database Field Descriptions’. Some
fields did not quite fit the data that we encountered so we shifted how we used
them and updated all data entered accordingly. See ‘Database Field Types’ for a
list.
 Subjective Fields – A ‘Subjective Field’ is one that we have determined should

not be used for statistical analysis. Although great care has been taken to make
sure that both researchers were operating under the same definitions and
understandings of the fields, some of the data entered into the database relied on
the subjective judgement of the researcher. Because much of the data collected
was about culture and belief it was simply not possible to fully standardise some
fields. However, they are useful for qualitative analysis. See ‘Database Field
Types’ for a list.
 Trial – The term ‘trial’ refers to the trial event with a prosecutor, judge and assize
present. The project only entered data in fields pertaining to the trial when we had
direct evidence that a trial had taken place. In many instances it would be possible
to infer that a trial had or would have taken place from circumstantial evidence,
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but we did not define trials on this basis. Future researchers can download the
database and define more trials as they see fit.
 Trial Process – This refers to the whole process that led a suspected witch to the
trial event. This includes a series of pre-trial local and central actions starting with
a denunciation and ending with the carrying out of a trial sentence (if the case
went to trial). The trial process is essentially the procedural path of the witchcraft
case. Some cases had more than one procedural path (i.e. two trials). The cultural
or belief aspects of each case remain constant no matter how many trial processes
are defined for each case; there cannot be more than one cultural or belief
delineation per case.
 Yes/No Data Type – In fields defined as a ‘Yes/No’ data type (i.e. they have a
tick-box) ‘yes’ (or a tick) means that positive evidence was found for that data
value. If no evidence was found, ‘no’ is entered, but this should be read as
‘unknown’.
 Tracking Fields - The database contains many fields designed for system tracking
and to allow the project team and future researchers to track the data entry and
updates. Database users would not normally need to use these fields. See
‘Database Field Types’ for a list.
 One-to-many Relationship – Some of the tables (and groups of tables) in the

database were designed to allow multiple entries for each accused. For example, a
single accused could describe several motifs for their demonic pact. Therefore a
single accused could have multiple entries in the table ‘WDB_DemonicPact’.
DATABASE LAYOUT AND DESIGN

The database contains information about witchcraft accusations and prosecution
processes, and is organised around named individual people accused of witchcraft in
early modern Scotland. Accommodation has also been made in the database for
documentary evidence about witchcraft prosecution that does not include named
individuals. This type of evidence - usually found in personal letters, chronicles, and
other papers – is less common than named individuals, but is nonetheless vital for
constructing an accurate picture of witch hunting and getting an accurate count of
accused witches. These types of entries in the database have cases, usually with very
little information, but no accused reference.
The database consists of three levels. Each level contains a series of linked tables,
some of which are reference tables that supply set lists of possible data for specific
fields. The first level is the accused. The ‘Accused’ is a self-contained set of fields
and reference tables that can be searched on its own. The second level is the ‘Case’,
comprising all the detail of the accusation. The third level comprises two sets of
information that are embedded within the ‘Case’ – the ‘Trial Process’ and
‘References’. Both of these sets of information are in a one-to-many relationship with
the ‘Case’. See the diagram below for a graphical representation of these
relationships.
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Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

Database Layout Symbols Key
= Level is a one to many
Accused
= Linked cluster of fields
Biographical Information
= More than one option
Case
People Beings/Meetings Disease/Damage Characterisation
Trial Process Folk Culture Other Charges/Defence References
Trial Process References

Set 1: Set 2: Set 3:
Pre-trial central actions, Mentioned in a trial Only post-trial known
Pre-trial local actions, (Documented accused, (Documented accused,
Trial, Post-trial type two) type three)
(Documented accused, type one)
‘Accused’ Description – Level One

The ‘Accused’ table contains biographical information about each accused witch. It
includes the name, sex, residence, occupation, etc. for each accused in the database.
See ‘Database Field Descriptions’ for a full list and description of these fields. The
database allows for only one accused level to be defined for each person accused of
witchcraft, thus assembling all known references to one individual in their own
unique record.
This level contains the following tables: ‘WDB_Accused’ and

‘WDB_Accused_family’.
‘Case’ Description – Level Two

The next level of the database is the witchcraft ‘case’. The witchcraft case records the
series of events and specific accusations that emerged from a denunciation of a person
for witchcraft involving either ecclesiastical or civil authorities, or both. The case
encompasses the beginning (i.e. denunciation or inferred denunciation), middle (i.e.
the investigation, arrest and trial of an accused witch), and end (i.e. the way the case
ended – dropped charges, escape, death in prison, a verdict of innocence, or
execution) of a witchcraft accusation. A ‘case’ refers to one individual who was
accused of witchcraft. The term ‘case’ does not refer to a series of trials in a large
witch-hunt or to simply the trial of a person accused of witchcraft. The ‘case’ also
incorporates all the cultural and accusation details recorded in the documents.
In theory any given accused witch could have more than one case. However, rather
than creating two cases for people accused and tried for witchcraft more than once,
we have chosen to create two trial processes (see below for description of the trial).
Although we built the capability to define two cases into the database, we did not find
any instances where the evidence showed, beyond all doubt, that one case had
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completely ended before a second one had begun. Because this is a subjective
assessment, the database has within it the option for a later researcher to redefine
instances where they believe two cases occurred. This could arguably be the case
when a person was re-tried after having received a not guilty verdict or having their
case dismissed. However, since we found none where this information was recorded
unequivocally we felt it was more accurate to use one ‘case’ at this stage.
The tables included in the ‘Case level’ include: ‘WDB_Case’,

‘WDB_CalendarCustom’, ‘WDB_CounterStrategy’, ‘WDB_DemonicPact’,
‘WDB_DevilAppearance’, ‘WDB_Elf_FairyElements’, ‘WDB_Malice’,
‘WDB_MusicalInstrument’, ‘WDB_OtherCharges’, ‘WDB_Person’
‘WDB_PropertyDamage’, ‘WDB_ReligiousMotif’, ‘WDB_RitualObject’,
‘WDB_ShapeChanging’, ‘WDB_WeatherModification’, ‘WDB_Whitemagic’,
‘WDB_WitchesMeetingPlace’.
‘Trial Process’ – Level Three (a)

The first part of the third level of information in the database is the witchcraft trial.
The trial is attached to the ‘Case’, which in turn is attached to the ‘Accused’. Any
given person accused of witchcraft could have two trials within one case. For
example, Janet Cook was accused of witchcraft in 1661-62. She was tried and
acquitted. But the people involved in bringing her to trial were unsatisfied with that
result and brought more charges forward and retried her about a month later resulting
in a verdict of guilty. For this accused witch, the verdict in her first trial did not
provide an ending to her case. She was not released from prison after her initial
verdict of not guilty. The two trials were still part of the same case.
The database encompasses the three different types of trial for witchcraft: central trial,
local trial, and mixed central and local trial. A central trial took place in the high
court of justiciary in Edinburgh. It was prosecuted by the lord advocate, a
professional jurist, and was presided over by a trained judge. However, the assize
members were brought in from the locality. A local trial was held either in or near the
place of residence of the accused. The prosecutor and judge, drawn from the local
elite, were granted justiciary powers from a central body (Privy Council, Parliament,
Committee of Estates, or Royal Commission). The officials in a local trial were not
usually professional jurists. A mixed local and central trial could be of two types: a
circuit court trial or a local trial with an appointed central official. A circuit court
case brought the apparatus of the high court of justiciary to the locality with a local
assize. A local trial with central representation used local trial apparatus (with a
centrally granted commission) with the addition of a central monitoring authority.
This level of the database also accommodates one other type of trial evidence that is
not easily encompassed by the notion of a ‘trial’, but is nonetheless a vital source of
information about witchcraft accusations. When the accused witch was mentioned (or
described) as a witch in the witchcraft trial of someone else, we have created a
‘Mentioned in a trial’ record. (See concepts above for full a discussion of what this
means.) In some instances trial documents exist for a person who was also mentioned
as a witch in someone else’s witchcraft trial, but in most instances there is no other
evidence about someone who was mentioned as a witch in the course of someone
else’s investigation or trial. These individuals provide important information about
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numbers of accused, although there are often no other procedural or cultural details
known about them.
The tables included in the trial level include: ‘WDB_Appeal’ (request for a
commission from a central authority), ‘WDB_Commission’, ‘WDB_Complaint’,
‘WDB_Confession’, ‘WDB_Denunciation’, ‘WDB_Imprisonment’,
‘WDB_LinkedTrial’, ‘WDB_MentionedAsWitch’, ‘WDB_MovestoHLA’ (moved to a
higher local authority), ‘WDB_OtherNamedWitch’, ‘WDB_Torture’, ‘WDB_Trial’,
‘WDB_Trial_Person’, ‘WDB_Ordeal’. (Also ‘WDB_PrevCommission’ – a dead table
with dead fields)
‘References’ – Level Three (b)

This section of level three lists all the primary references (manuscript and printed),
examined by the researchers, that refer to an individual accused. The title of the
document or book was recorded, as well as the full catalogue, volume, page or folio
citation. For a full list of sources surveyed by the researchers (many of which revealed
no information on accusations) see the Bibliography and Provenance List. These
include publication details and a fuller description of the type of document.
The tables included in this level are: ‘WDB_Reference’ and ‘WDB_Source’.
B. DATABASE FIELD TYPES
DEAD FIELDS TYPES BY TABLE

(Fields the researchers did not systematically use)
‘WDB_Accused’
Patronymic
Ethnic_Origin
‘WDB_Accused_Family’
Patronymic
‘WDB_Case’
ClaimedBewitched
ClaimedPossessed
AdmitLesserCharge
ClaimedNaturalCauses
Nodefence
DefenseNotes
‘WDB_Complaint’
WitchPricker
‘WDB_PrevCommission’
PrevCommRef
PrevCommSystemId
PrevCommID
Trialref
PrevCommdate
PrevCommdate_as_date
Fromwhere
Createdby
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Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
‘WDB_Ref_CaseType’
Casetype
Createdby
Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
‘WDB_Ref_Fate’
Fate
Createdby
Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
‘WDB_Ref_MeetingName’
Meetingname
Createdby
Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
‘WDB_Ref_Outcome’
Outcome
Createdby
Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
REDEFINED FIELDS BY TABLE

(The meaning changed from the original field title)
‘WDB_DevilAppearance’ Should be non-natural Being Appearance

Devil_type Should be type of non-natural being
Devil_text Should be non-natural being text.
SUBJECTIVE FIELDS BY TABLE

(Fields for which statistics should be generated cautiously)
‘WDB_Accused’
Age
Age_estcareer
Age_estchild
SocioecStatus
‘WDB_Accused_Family’
Age
Age_estcareer
Age_estchild
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‘WDB_Case’
UnorthodoxRelPract_p
Consulting_p
Demonic_p
Demonic_possess_p
Fairies_p
Folk_healing_p
Maleficium_p
Midwifery_p
ImplicatedByAnother_p
Neighbhd_dispute_p
PoliticalMotive_p
PropertyMotive_p
RefusedCharity_p
Treason_p
Other_p
WhiteMagic_p
‘WDB_Reference’
All the fields in this table were only sometimes applicable to the document.
Therefore, their use was constrained and the result is a subjective account of the type
of document used.
TRACKING FIELDS BY TABLE

(System IDs and creation log)
Every Table in the database

[*]SystemID
[*]ID
Createdby
Createdate
Lastupdatedby
Lastupdatedon
C. MISCELLANEOUS DATABASE INFORMATION
DATA THAT HAS NOT BEEN NORMALISED

During the course of our research we have entered some supplemental data that has
not been normalised by the researchers. We have chosen to keep this data in the
database because it may be of use to researchers as it is, and in future a researcher or
research team may wish to build on our initial work. There were two types of data
that we did not normalise during the original project: settlement of the accused, and
all information pertaining to people involved in witchcraft cases.
We entered in the settlement when specified. But because this data was not necessary
for our mapping of witchcraft suspects, no attempt has been made to standardise
spelling or to collate possible duplicate settlements. It simply was not cost-effective
to standardise this information.
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With additional funding from the British Academy we were able to normalise
information about people involved in various aspects of witchcraft cases and trials.
See page 11 below, ‘People Involved in a Case’,for a description of the information
about people involved in witchcraft prosecution contained in the table
‘WDB_person’.
TRACKING FIELDS
(SYSTEM ID, CREATION LOGS AND OTHER NON-ESSENTIAL FIELDS)
The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft database contains a number of fields that were
designed to accommodate complicated data entry protocols, merging of each
researcher’s version of the database, and tracking in case of mistakes. These fields
will be of no academic or intellectual value for future researchers who use this
database. However, we cannot remove them because it would damage the table
structures. The following is a brief key to the abbreviations used in the system fields:
‘JO’ refers to the researcher ‘Joyce Miller’; ‘LA’ refers to the researcher ‘Lauren
Martin’; ‘EGD’ refers to the Edinburgh University Computer Services; and ‘SMD’
refers to Stuart Macdonald. All mentions of ‘SMD’ refer to cases that we tipped into
our database from Stuart Macdonald’s computerised version of The Source-Book of
Scottish Witchcraft, Larner et al. (See ‘Methodology’ for a full description of this
process.) All the numbers in these fields are system numbers. Reference numbers for
all the records in each table were created with a combination of the system number
and the initials of the record creator. The creation logs track who first created the
record and when it was created; and the last updates on each record.
SURNAME AND FIRST NAME MODERNISATION AND STANDARISATION

In order to aid searching for the names of an accused person we have a specific fields
for the modernised versions of the names we encountered in the source material. Our
policy with names was to enter the name into the database (FirstName and LastName)
as we found it for the first time in the source material. We then decided on a standard
modern spelling for each last name and first name (M_FirstName and M_LastName).
To standardise the first names we used The Dictionary of First Names, Patrick Hanks
and Flavia Hodges (Oxford, 1990). For the surnames we used a combination of the
phone book for Edinburgh and Lothians and Surnames of Scotland, George F. Black
(New York, 1946). (See attached appendices ‘Modern/Standardised Last Names’ and
‘Modern/Standardised First Names’ for a full list of standard modern names used in
the database.)
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RESIDENCE (SETTLEMENT, PARISH, BURGH, PRESBYTERY, COUNTY)

A major aspect of our project was to locate the residence of accused witches as
accurately as possible. As stated above, settlements were simply recorded as they
appeared in the documents. We have not created a standardised list of
settlements. In order to facilitate accurate location of witchcraft suspects and to
standardise this data we have created fixed lists of parishes, burghs, presbyteries
and counties. These fields are standardised to each other (i.e. the researchers
have normalised all known parishes and in each record the parish, presbytery and
county are accurately matched up). Our fixed list of parishes was derived from
Fasti and from a list of medieval parishes developed by Simon Taylor that is held
by the Edinburgh University Computing Services. Burghs recorded in the
database are from a list of Royal Burghs from 1707. Presbyteries were recorded
according to Fasti and the catalogues of presbytery records at the NAS. The list
of presbytery names was the same as it is now. However, parishes have changed
presbyteries and amalgamated over the years. We listed them as they were
recorded during the seventeenth century. The county list was taken from the
county boundaries of 1707. In many cases these are the same as the modern
county boundaries, but some have changed. A full list of all our place names can
be found in the appendices.
PEOPLE INVOLVED IN A CASE

The project has recorded some information about people involved in investigating
and/or prosecuting an accused witch. The researchers recorded the name (or parts of
the name), title, occupation, office and residence of people mentioned in witchcraft
documents as investigators, commissioners or prosecutors in the table
‘WDB_Person’. Our original policy was simply to record the information as it
appeared in the document. We did not normalise this table during the initial ESRC-
funded research project, as information about people involved in the
prosecution/investigation of those accused of witchcraft was not our primary concern.
With a small research grant from the British Academy we were able to correct and
standardise this information. We eliminated any obvious duplicate names, indicated
any possible duplicates or connections, entered further personal data where possible
and data cleaned all the fields. We deemed a record a duplicate when there was
obvious evidence that the two records referred to the same person. There were,
however, other possible duplicate records that did not have enough specific
information to identify whether or not they definitely referred to the same person.
When more than one person with the same name was involved in cases that were
more than twenty years apart we did not merge their records unless there was any
other compelling evidence that the records referred to the same person. In instances
where we were unable to establish this unequivocally we indicated these possible
duplicates in the notes field. In the notes field we also included the date range of cases
with which the person was involved (where known) and other other appropriate
information. Where a name appears more than once in the ‘WDB_person’ table we
used a standard modernised version derived from the list used for witchcraft suspects.
This will make it easier for researchers to identify family connections and further
duplicates.
The ‘WDB_person’ table provides a list of people involved in witchcraft cases. It does
not provide detailed information about those people on the list, as people involved
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were not the primary concern of the project. A person involved in witchcraft
prosecution is connected to the relevant accused witch via one or more of four tables:
‘WDB_case-person’, ‘WDB_appeal’, ‘WDB_complaint’ and ‘WDB_trial_person’. It
is intended that future researchers will use the information in the table ‘WDB_person’
as the starting point for more detailed examination of people involved in witchcraft
prosecution.
D. ENTITY MODELS
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II. LIST OF TABLES AND FIELDS
WDB_Accused
Column Data Type Description
AccusedRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
AccusedSystemId Character(3) Initials ofrecord creator
AccusedID Long Integer System number
FirstName Character(50) First name as given in the source
LastName Character(50) Surname as given in the source
M_Firstname Character(50) Standard modern first name
M_Surname Character(50) Standard modern surname
Alias Character(50) Name with patronymic or soubriquet
Patronymic Character(50) Patronymic
DesTitle Character(50) Designation or Title
Sex Character(6) Sex of the accused
Age Integer Age at time of case
Age_estcareer Yes/No Indicates that age has been estimated from career
Age_estchild Yes/No Indicates that age has been estimated from the
existence of children
Res_settlement Character(50) Place of residence - settlement
Res_parish Character(50) Place of residence - parish
Res_presbytery Character(50) Place of residence - presbytery
Res_county Character(50) Place of residence - county
Res_burgh Character(50) Place of residence - burgh
Res_NGR_Letters Character(2) Grid reference of place of residence - letters
Res_NGR_Easting Integer Grid reference of place of residence - easting
Res_NGR_Northing Integer Grid reference of place of residence - northing
Ethnic_origin Character(50) Ethnic origin
MaritalStatus Character(50) Marital status
SocioecStatus Character(50) Socio-economic status
Occupation Character(50) Occupation
Notes memo Notes on the accused
Createdby Character(50) Name of person who created this record
Createdate Date Date record created
Lastupdatedby Character(50) Name of person who last updated the record
Lastupdatedon Date Date record last updated
WDB_Accused_family
Accused_familyRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
Accused_familySystemId Character(3) Initials of record creator
Accused_familyID Long Integer System number
Surname Character(50) Surname of family member
Firstname Character(50) First name of family member
Alias Character(50) Alias of family member
Patronymic Character(50) Patronymic
DesTitle Character(50) Designation or Title of family member
Est_Year_of_Birth Integer Estimated year of birth
Age Long Integer Age at time of case
Age_estcareer Yes/No Indicates that age has been estimated from career
Age_estchild Yes/No Indicates that age has been estimated from the
existence of children
Occupation Character(50) Occupation of family member
Relationship Character(50) Relationship to accused
AccusedRef Character(20) Identifier for accused
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WDB_Appeal
AppealRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
AppealSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
AppealID Long Integer System number
Trialref Character(20) Local identifier for trial
PersonRef Character(20) Unique identifier for person involved (named
commissioner)
Centralauth Character(50) Name of type of central authority appealed to
Reason Character(50) Reason for appeal
Appealexists Yes/No Check box if no other information
Appealdate Character(50) Date of appeal
Appealdate_as_date Date Date of appeal as date
WDB_CalendarCustom
CustomRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
CustomSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
CustomID Long Integer System number
CaseRef Character(20) Local identifier for case
Custom_Type Character(50) Calendar custom or observance named in the
document
WDB_Case
CaseRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
CaseId Long Integer Initials of creator
CaseSystemId Character(3) System number
NamedIndividual Integer Case is about a named individual
AccusedRef Character(20) Identifier for accused
CaseStart_date Character(50) Date of case (Start)
CaseStart_date_as_date Date Date of case (Start) as text
Case_date Character(50) Date of case (End) This is the definitive date for
the case
Case_date_as_date Date Date of case (End) as text
Age_at_case Integer Age of accused at time of case
CaseCommonName Character(50) Common name for the case
Commission Character(100) Commission (for cases without named individuals)
Complaint Character(100) Complaint to central authorities (for cases without
named individuals)
Correspondence Character(250) Correspondence (for cases without named
individuals)
Chronicle Character(255) Chronicle or narrative account (for cases without
named individuals)
Other Character(255) Other (for cases without named individuals)
Suspects_text Byte Text describing number of suspects (for cases
without named individuals)
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UNorthodoxRelPract_p Yes/No Unorthodox religious practice as primary

characterisation of case - the team decided this was
the main theme
UNorthodoxRelPract_s Yes/No Unorthodox religious practice as secondary
characterisation of case - the team found this
mentioned in the documentation
Consulting_p Yes/No Consulting a witch as primary characterisation of
case - the team decided this was the main theme
Consulting_s Yes/No Consulting a witch as secondary characterisation
of case - the team found this mentioned in the
documentation
Demonic_p Yes/No Demonic elements as primary characterisation of
Demonic_s Yes/No Demonic elements as secondary characterisation
documentation
Demonic_possess_p Yes/No Demonic possession as primary characterisation of
Demonic_possess_s Yes/No Demonic possession as secondary characterisation
documentation
Fairies_p Yes/No Fairies as primary characterisation of case - the
team decided this was the main theme
Fairies_s Yes/No Fairies as secondary characterisation of case - the
team found this mentioned in the documentation
Folk_healing_p Yes/No Folk healing as primary characterisation of case -
the team decided this was the main theme
Folk_healing_s Yes/No Folk healing as secondary characterisation of case
- the team found this mentioned in the
documentation
Maleficium_p Yes/No Maleficium as primary characterisation of case -
the team decided this was the main theme
Maleficium_s Yes/No Maleficium as secondary characterisation of case -
the team found this mentioned in the
documentation
Midwifery_p Yes/No Midwifery as primary characterisation of case - the
Midwifery_s Yes/No Midwifery as secondary characterisation of case -
the team found this mentioned in the
documentation
ImplicatedByAnother_p Yes/No Named as accomplice as primary characterisation
of case - the team decided this was the main theme
ImplicatedByAnother_s Yes/No Named as accomplice as secondary
Neighbhd_dispute_p Yes/No Neighbourhood dispute as primary characterisation
of case - the team decided this was the main theme
Neighbhd_dispute_s Yes/No Neighbourhood dispute as secondary
PoliticalMotive_p Yes/No Political motive as primary characterisation of case
- the team decided this was the main theme
PoliticalMotive_s Yes/No Political motive as secondary characterisation of
case - the team found this mentioned in the
documentation
PropertyMotive_p Yes/No Property motive as primary characterisation of
PropertyMotive_s Yes/No Property motive as secondary characterisation of
18
documentation
RefusedCharity_p Yes/No Refused Charity as primary characterisation of
RefusedCharity_s Yes/No Refused Charity as secondary characterisation of
documentation
Treason_p Yes/No Treason as primary characterisation of case - the
Treason_s Yes/No Treason as secondary characterisation of case - the
Other_p Yes/No Other primary characterisation
Other_s Yes/No Other secondary characterisation
OtherText Character(255) Description of other characterisation
NotEnoughInfo_p Yes/No Not enough information recorded
NotEnoughInfo_s Yes/No Characterisation unknown
WhiteMagic_p Yes/No White Magic as primary characterisation - the
WhiteMagic_s Yes/No White Magic as secondary characterisation - the
Charnotes memo Notes on characterisation of case
DemonicPact Yes/No Demonic pact was implied in the sources
DevilNotes memo Notes about the Devil from the documenation
WitchesMeeting Yes/No Witches' meetings - accused attended
MeetingName Character(50) Witches' meetings - Meeting Name (field never
used)
DevilPresent Yes/No Witches' meetings - Devil Present at a meeting
Maleficium Yes/No Witches' meetings - Collective maleficium
organised or committed at a meeting
CommunalSex Yes/No Witches' meetings - Communal sex at a meeting
DevilWorship Yes/No Witches' meetings - Worship of the Devil at a
meeting
FoodAndDrink Yes/No Witches' meetings - Food and Drink consumed at a
meeting
Dancing Yes/No Witches' meetings - Dancing at a meeting
Singing Yes/No Witches' meetings - Singing at a meeting
SingingText Character(255) Witches' meetings - Name of song sung at a
meeting
OtherPractices Character(255) Witches' meetings - Other practices at a meeting
MeetingNotes memo Witches' meetings - description of meeting or
anything to do with the meeting
Elphane/Fairyland Yes/No Folk Culture - Elphane/Fairyland mentioned or
described
Food/Drink Yes/No Folk Culture - Food/Drink consumed at Elphane or
fairyland
SpecificVerbalFormulae Yes/No Folk Culture - Specific Verbal Formulae used for
curing or any other ritual were discussed in the
documentation
SpecificRitualActs Yes/No Folk Culture - Specific Ritual Acts were discussed
in the documentation
Familiars Yes/No Folk Culture - The accused had a familiar (a small
animal or spirit that did her bidding)
Shape-Changing Yes/No Folk Culture - The documentation mentioned
shape-changing of the accused
Dreams/Visions Yes/No Folk Culture - Accused appeared in a Dream or
Visions
UnorthodoxReligiousPrac Yes/No Folk Culture - Accused used an Unorthodox
tice Religious Practice
SympatheticMagic Yes/No Folk Culture - Sympathetic magic (use of an object
19
to stand in for a person) was alleged

Ridingdead Yes/No Folk Culture - Riding with the dead
FolkNotes memo Folk Culture - Notes about folk culture
HumanIllness Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Human illness
HumanDeath Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Human death
AnimalIllness Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Animal illness
AnimalDeath Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Animal death
FemaleInfertility Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Female
infertility
MaleImpotence Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused caused Male impotence
AggravatingDisease Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Aggravated an already
existing disease
TransferringDisease Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Transferred a disease
from sick person to someone or something else
LayingOn Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Layed on and took off a
disease
Removalbewitchment Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Removed a
bewitchment
Quarreling Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Quarrelled
Cursing Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Cursed someone
Poisoning Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Poisoned someone
RecHealer Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused was a Recognised
healer
HealingHumans Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Healed humans
HealingAnimals Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused Healed animals
Midwifery Yes/No Diseases/Illness - Accused practised Midwifery
DiseaseNotes Character(255) Diseases/Illness - Notes about diseases and
damage supposedly caused by the accused
PropertyDamage Yes/No Damage to property - accused caused non specific
damage
WeatherModification Yes/No Damage - accused modified the weather
OtherMaleficiaNotes Character(255) Damage - Notes about the kind of damage
supposedly caused by the accused
OtherChargesNotes Character(255) Other charges - Notes about other crimes with
which the accused was also charged
ClaimedBewitched Yes/No Defence - claimed bewitched (field not
consistently used)
ClaimedPossessed Yes/No Defence - claimed Possessed by devil (field not
consistently used)
AdmitLesserCharge Yes/No Defence - admit to lesser charge (field not
consistently used)
ClaimedNaturalCauses Yes/No Defence - claimed natural causes (field not
consistently used)
Nodefence Yes/No Defence - offers no defence (field not consistently
used)
DefenseNotes Character(255) Notes for defence (field not consistently used)
CaseNotes memo Any notes on the case
WDB_Case_person
Case_personRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
Case_personID Long Integer Initials of record creator
Case_personSystemId Character(3) System number
CaseRef Character(20) Case ID
20
PersonRef Character(20) Person ID

Involvement Character(50) Role of the person in case
Notes Character(255) General notes
WDB_Commission
CommissionRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
CommissionSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
CommissionID Long Integer System number
Commbody Character(50) Central authority that granted the commission:
Privy Council, Parliament, Committee of Estates,
Royal
Commtype Character(50) Type of commission that was granted
Commexists Yes/No Checkbox if no other information known
Commdate Character(50) Date of commission
Commdate_as_date Date Date of commission as date
Seal Character(50) Seal under which the commission was granted
Notes memo Any notes on the commission
WDB_Complaint
ComplaintRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
ComplaintSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
ComplaintID Long Integer System number
Complaint Yes/No Is a complaint recorded?
Complaint_type Character(50) Who lodged the complaint
Complaintdate Character(50) Date of complaint
Complaintdate_as_date Date Date of complaint as date
Wherelodged Character(50) Where complaintwas lodged
Accused_familyRef Character(50) Identifier for family member that made the
complaint
Involvement Character(50) Role in Trial
WitchPricker Yes/No Is a witch pricker
WDB_Confession
ConfessionRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
ConfessionSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
ConfessionID Long Integer System number
CentralTrialConfession Yes/No Confession at central level
Confessionrec Yes/No Checkbox to indicate that a confession occured
( in case no other information known)
21
Confessiondate Character(50) Date of confession

Confessiondate_as_date Date Date of confession as date
Confessionplace Character(50) Place of confession (e.g. building)
Confessionlocation Character(50) Location of confession (e.g. town)
Confessiontext Yes/No Confession text exists
Confessiondetails Yes/No Details of confession exist
Confessionret Yes/No Retraction of confession exists
Notes memo Any notes on the confession
WDB_CounterStrategy
CounterStrategyRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
CounterStrategySystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
CounterStrategyID Long Integer System number
CounterStrategy_Type Character(50) Type of strategy used to counter the magic of the
accused or strategy used by accused to counter
magic used against the accused
WDB_DemonicPact
DemonicRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
DemonicSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
DemonicID Long Integer System number
Demonic_Type Character(50) Demonic pact motif type
Demonic_Text Character(50) Text field for further description of demonic pact
motif type
WDB_Denunciation
DenuncRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
DenuncSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
DenuncID Long Integer System number
Denunc_exists Yes/No Checkbox to indicate that a denunciation occured
( in case no other information known
Denuncdate Character(50) Date of denunciation
Denuncdate_as_date Date Date of denunciation as date
Denunc_text Character(50) reason for denuciation
WDB_DevilAppearance
22

DevilRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
DevilSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
DevilID Long Integer System number
Devil_Type Character(50) Type of non-natural being
Devil_Text Character(50) Text field to describe the non-natural being
WDB_Elf_FairyElements
ElfFairyRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
ElfFairySystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
ElfFairyID Long Integer System number
ElfFairy_Type Character(50) Type of elf or fairy motif
WDB_Imprisonment
ImprisonRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
ImprisonSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
ImprisonID Long Integer System number
CentralTrialImprison Yes/No imprisonment at central level
Imprisondate Character(50) Date of imprisonment
Imprisondate_as_date Date Date of imprisonment as date
Prison Character(50) Place of imprisonment (e.g. building)
Location Character(50) Location of imprisonment (e.g. town)
Moving Yes/No Moving suspect for confrontation with another
suspect or a witness
Fate_in_prison Character(50) Fate in prison
WDB_LinkedTrial
OneTrialref Character(20) Local identifier for trial
TwoTrialref Character(20) Local identifier for trial
WDB_Malice
MaliceRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MaliceSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
MaliceID Long Integer System number
23

Causeofmalice Character(50) Cause of witch's malice
WDB_MentionedAsWitch
MentionRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MentionSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
MentionID Long Integer System number
Mentiondate Character(50) Date of mention
Mentiondate_as_date Date Date of mention as date
Mentiontype Character(50) Type of mention - how the suspect was mentioned
TrialOfAccusedRef Character(20) Reference of trial
TrialOfFirstName Character(50) First name
TrialOfLastName Character(50) Surname
MentionedInTrialOfRef Character(50) Reference of trial in which the suspect (i.e. the
mentioned witch) was mentioned
dateOfMentionedTrial Character(50) Date of trial in which the suspect was mentioned
dateOfMentionedTrial_as Date Date of trial as date
_date
FateOfMentionedWitch Character(50) Fate of the mentioned suspect
Notes memo Notes
WDB_MovestoHLA
MoveRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MoveSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
MoveID Long Integer System number
Moveto Character(50) Name of higher local authority to which the trial
process moved
Moveexists Yes/No Checkbox if no other information known
Movedate Character(50) Date of move to highler local authority
Movedate_as_date Date Date of move as move
WDB_MusicalInstrument
MusicalInstrumentRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MusicalInstrumentSystem Character(50) Initials of creator
Id
MusicalInstrumentID Long Integer System number
MusicalInstrument_Type Character(50) Type of musical instrument used at a witches'
meeting
MusicalInstrument_Text Character(50) Text field to describe the music played or the
instrucment
24

WDB_Ordeal
OrdealRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
OrdealSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
OrdealID Long Integer System number
Ordealexists Yes/No Checkbox to indicate that an ordeal occured ( in
case no other information known
Ordealdate Character(50) Date of ordeal
Ordealdate_as_date Date Date of ordeal as date
Ordealtype Character(50) Type of ordeal used
WDB_OtherCharges
OtherChargesRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
OtherChargesSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
OtherChargesID Long Integer System number
OtherCharges_Type Character(50) Additional crimes the suspect was charged with
(other than witchcraft)
WDB_OtherNamedwitch
NamedWitchRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
NamedWitchSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
NamedWitchID Long Integer System number
Mentiontype Character(50) Type of mention - how the named witch was
mentioned
NamedWitchAccusedRef Character(20) Identifier for accused witch
NamedWitchFirstName Character(50) First name
NamedWitchLastName Character(50) Surname
NamedWitchTrialOfRef Character(50) Reference of the named witches' trial
dateOfNamedWitchTrial Character(50) Date of the named witches' trial
dateOfNamedWitchTrial_ Date Date of trial as date
as_date
Notes memo Notes
WDB_Person
PersonRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
25
PersonID Long Integer Initials of creator

PersonSystemId Character(3) System number
FirstName Character(50) First name
LastName Character(50) Surname
Other Details Character(50) Text if not a person - e.g text referenced as a
demonologist
Title Character(50) Title or designation
Occupation Character(50) Occupation
Office Character(50) Office
Residence Character(50) Residence
Notes memo Any notes on the person
WDB_PrevCommission
PrevCommRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
PrevCommSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
PrevCommID Long Integer System number
PrevCommexists Yes/No Checkbox if no other information known (field not
used)
PrevCommdate Character(50) Date of commission (field not used)
PrevCommdate_as_date Date Date of commission as date (field not used)
Fromwhere Character(50) From where commission previously granted (field
not used)
WDB_PropertyDamage
PropertyDamageRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
PropertyDamageSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
PropertyDamageID Long Integer System number
PropertyDamage_Type Character(50) Type of property damage allegedly committed by
the suspect
WDB_Reference
ReferenceRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
RefSystemID Character(50) Initials of creator
ReferenceID Long Integer System number
CaseRef Character(50) Identifier for case
SourceRef Character(50) Link to source
Reference Character(255) Reference
KirkSession Yes/No Kirk session minutes
Presbytery Yes/No Presbytery minutes
BurghCourt Yes/No Burgh court minutes
Confession Yes/No Confession
26
DraftDittay Yes/No Draft dittay

Comm_CourtMin Yes/No Court minutes - under commission
Just_CourtMin Yes/No Court minutes - court of justiciary
Circuit_CourtMin Yes/No Court minutes - circuit court
Dittay Yes/No Dittay
Pleadings Yes/No Pleadings
WitDep Yes/No Witnesses' depositions
WitStatement Yes/No Witnesses' statements
CommJust Yes/No Commission of justiciary
PrivyCouncil Yes/No Commission of justiciary - Issued by privy council
Parliament Yes/No Commission of justiciary - Issued by Parliament
Estates Yes/No Commission of justiciary - Issued by committee of
estates
Royal Yes/No Commission of justiciary - Issued by the king
CommText Yes/No Commission of justiciary - Text of commission
Verdict Yes/No Verdict
Sentence Yes/No Sentence
Chronicle Yes/No Chronicle/narrative account
Financial Yes/No Financial accounts
Other Character(50) Other document type
Notes memo Any notes on the reference
WDB_ReligiousMotif
MotifRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MotifSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
MotifID Long Integer System number
Motif_Type Character(50) Type of religious motif desribed in the documents
WDB_RitualObject
RitualObjectRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
RitualObjectSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
RitualObjectID Long Integer System number
RitualObject_Type Character(50) Type of ritual object described in the document
WDB_ShapeChanging
ShapeChangingRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
ShapeChangingSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
ShapeChangingID Long Integer System number
ShapeChanging_Type Character(50) Type of shape changing described in the document
27
Details Character(50) Details

WDB_Source
SourceRef Character(50) Name of source
WDB_Torture
TortureRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
TortureSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
TortureID Long Integer System number
Tortureexists Yes/No Checkbox to indicate that a torture occured ( in
case no other information known
Torturedate Character(50) Date of torture
Torturedate_as_date Date Date of torture as date
Torturetype Character(50) Type of torture described in the document
WDB_Trial
Trialref Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
TrialId Long Integer System number
TrialSystemId Character(3) Initials of creator
CaseRef Character(20) Identifier for case
TrialType Byte Type of trial
Trial_settlement Character(50) Location of trial - settlement
Trial_parish Character(50) Location of trial - parish
Trial_presbytery Character(50) Location of trial - presbytery
Trial_county Character(50) Location of trial - county
Trial_burgh Character(50) Location of trial - burgh
Trial_NGR_Letters Character(2) Grid reference of trial location - letters
Trial_NGR_Easting Integer Grid reference of trial location - easting
Trial_NGR_Northing Integer Grid reference of trial location - northing
Watching Yes/No Watching and warding
WatchingDate Character(50) Date of watching and warding
WatchingDate_as_date Character(50) Date of watching and warding as date
Arrest Yes/No Arrest
ArrestDate Character(50) Date of arrest
ArrestDate_as_date Date Date of arrest as date
Fled Yes/No Fled from justice
FledDate Character(50) Date Fled
FledDate_as_date Date Date Fled as date
ActionDropped Yes/No A specific decision was made to drop the action
taken against the suspect
Actiondropdate Character(50) Date Action was dropped
28
Actiondropdate_as_date Date Action dropped on as date

Actiondroppedby Character(50) Action dropped by (individual)
Actionbody Character(50) Action dropped by (body)
Confrontingsuspects Yes/No Confronting other suspects
PretrialNotes memo Notes on pretrial phase
ProcessType Character(50) Process type (central, local, mixed, unknown,
mention)
TrialDate Character(50) Date of trial
TrialDate_as_date Date Date of trial as date
TrialPlace Character(50) Place of trial (building)
Female_accusers Long Integer Number of female accusers
Male_accusers Long Integer Number of male accusers
High_status Yes/No High status people among the accusers
Defence Yes/No Defence
Verdict Character(50) Verdict
Sentence Character(50) Sentence
Cjtorder Yes/No Order for central justiciary trial (Central Trial
only)
Cjtdate Character(50) Date of order for central justiciary trial (Central
Trial only)
Cjtdate_as_date Date Date of order for central justiciary trial as date
(Central Trial only)
Circuit Yes/No Circuit court (Mixed Trial only)
Circuitname Character(50) Name of circuit (Mixed Trial only)
Localwithcrep Yes/No Local trial with central representative (Mixed Trial
only)
Noreftocentral Yes/No No known reference to central justice (Local Trial
only)
TrialNotes memo Any notes on the trial phase
Execution Yes/No Execution took place
Executionmethod Character(50) Execution method
ExecutionDate Character(50) Date of execution
ExecutionDate_as_date Date Date of execution as date
ExecutionPlace Character(50) Place of execution
Exec_settlement Character(50) Location of execution - settlement
Exec_parish Character(50) Location of execution - parish
Exec_presbytery Character(50) Location of execution - presbytery
Exec_county Character(50) Location of execution - county
Exec_burgh Character(50) Location of execution - burgh
Exec_NGR_Letters Character(2) Grid reference of place of execution - letters
Exec_NGR_Easting Integer Grid reference of place of execution - easting
Exec_NGR_Northing Integer Grid reference of place of execution - northing
PostTrialNotes memo Notes on post trial phase
WDB_Trial_Person
Trial_personRef Character(20) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
Trial_personID Long Integer System number
Trial_personSystemId Character(3) Initials of creator
TrialRef Character(20) Trial ID
CaseRef Character(20) Case ID
Involvement Character(50) Role in case
WitchPricker Yes/No Is a witch pricker
29

WDB_WeatherModification
WeatherModificationRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
WeatherModificationSyst Character(50) Initials of creator
emId
WeatherModificationID Long Integer System number
WeatherModification_Typ Character(50) Type of weather modification described in the
e documents
WDB_WhiteMagic
WhiteMagicRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
WhiteMagicSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
WhiteMagicID Long Integer System number
WhiteMagic_Type Character(50) Type of white magic described in the documents
WDB_WitchesMeetingPlace
MeetingPlaceRef Character(50) Unique identifier - initials plus system number
MeetingPlaceSystemId Character(50) Initials of creator
MeetingPlaceID Long Integer System number
MeetingPlace_Place Character(50) Place of witches' meeting
Inversion Yes/No Inversion used at a witches' meeting
Location Character(50) Location of the witches' meeting
30
III. DATA VALUE DEFINITIONS
SSW Database – fields with fixed data lists
[Field name is in bold, data value definitions follow]
CounterStrategy_Type – A counter-strategy is a technique used to either repel magic

or stop a magical assault. The following data values are the counter strategies
that were found in the witchcraft documents.
Advice Sought: advice requested from another person about how to end their
suffering of magical harm
Appeasement: attempt to re-establish normal social relations between two disputing
parties
Community Healer: advice sought from local community healer
Counter-magic: use of magic to block or stop harmful magic, or to harm the suspected
culprit
Prayer: use of prayer against the person suspected of causing magical harm
Protective magic: use of magic to protect against harm
Scratching: scratching/scoring the suspected witch to negate their power, often above
the windpipe
Custom_Type – This field records calendar customs that were found in the witchcraft
documents. A calendar custom is a special day. In most instances the calendar
customs were mentioned as a way to express the time or date of an incident
rather than as a celebration of the festival or special day itself. It was usually a
way to mark the passage of time.
All Saints’ Day: 1 November, follows All Hallows’ Eve
Andrewmas: 30 November, mass celebrated on St Andrew’s day
Barthills Day: 25 August, celebration of St Bartholomew
Beltane: 1 May, celebration associated with the Celtic feast of Bel
Borrowing days: last three days of March, from the fable that March borrowed three
days from April.
Candlemas: 2 February, feast of the celebration of the presentation of Christ to the
Temple
Easter: movable Christian celebration of the execution and resurrection of Christ
Fastings eve: Scottish term for Shrove Tuesday (the evening before the fast), the day
before the fast of Lent
Halloween: 31 October, All Hallows’ Eve, day before All Saints’ Day, also associated
with Celtic festivity of Samhain
Handsel Monday: first Monday of the New Year when gifts were exchanged
31
Harvest: secular celebration of the end of harvest in August, was incorporated into the
Christian calendar
Holy Cross day: 13 or 14 September, celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Lammas: 1 August, Celtic festivity of Lugh, also known as Lughnasadh
Lent: 40 day fast before Easter, starts on Ash Wednesday
Martinmas: 11 November, mass celebrated on St Martin’s day
Michaelmas: 29 September, mass celebrated on St Michael’s day
Midsummer: 24 June, summer solstice, before the start of the shortening of day, also
St John’s day
Nuris Day: possibly associated with wet nursing, we are not sure
Our Lady Day (Harvest): 16 August, festival associated with the mother of Christ
Quarter day: day dividing the Celtic year into four, marking the different seasons
Ruidday: 3 May or 14 September, celebration of the Invention of the Holy Cross or
Rude
Sabbath: Sunday, day of religious worship
Saint Magnus Day: 16 April, celebration of St Magnus
Saint Thomas Eve: 20 December, celebration of St Thomas
Whitsunday: Pentecost, 50 days after Easter Sunday
Yule: midwinter festival, equivalent to Christmas
Demonic_Type – refers to the type or motif of demonic pact that was described in the
witchcraft documents.
Anti-baptism: renunciation of Christian baptism, apostasy
Body and soul: giving oneself over to the Devil, body and soul
Bond/Band: an agreement with the Devil
Devil's Mark: mark received from the Devil as a sign of pact (often described as not
sensible to feeling)
Head and foot: touching of the head and foot with opposite hands – all between was
given to the Devil
Kisses Devil's bottom: worship of the Devil by inversion/perversion of Christian
symbolism
New name: new name given to a witch by the Devil indicating a rejection of Christian
baptism – a re-naming by the Devil
Paction: general, non-specific pact made with the Devil
Possession: the accused witch claimed to be possessed by the Devil
Servant: indicates that the accused had agreed to be the Devil’s servant
32
Sex: indicated that the accused had sexual relations with the Devil
Tacit pact: the accused used power of the pact but did not describe any specific
features
Want nothing: the accused confessed that the Devil promised to provide everything
for them and that they ‘should never want’
Devil_Type – This field refers to the type of non-natural being that was mentioned or
described in the documents.
Animal Devil: the Devil appeared in animal form
Baby: the Devil appeared in the form of a baby
Child Devil: the Devil appeared in the form of a child
Fairy: non-natural being appeared in the form of a fairy, gender not specified
Female: the Devil appeared in the form of a female
Female Fairy: non-natural being appeared in the form of a female fairy
Ghost: non-natural being appeared in the form of a ghost or dead person
Inanimate Object Devil: the Devil appeared in the form of an inanimate object
Insect Devil: the Devil appeared in the form of an insect
Male: the Devil appeared in the form of a man
Male Fairy: non-natural being appeared in the form of a man
Other Demon: non-natural being appeared in the form of another non-specified
demon
Spirit: non-natural being appeared in the form of a non-specified spirit
Unspecified Devil: non-natural being appeared in the form of a non-specified Devil
ElfFairy_Type – This field records information about fairy motifs that were
mentioned or described in the documents. We have researched fairy motifs to
design this list of cultural indications of fairies. We take the terms fairy and
elf to be interchangeable.
12:00: indicates the mentioning of liminal boundary times such as the change from
day into night or night into day. This data value means that the documents
didn’t specify whether they were referring to noon or midnight
Bells: either a protective symbol used against fairies or something used by fairies
themselves
Bored-Stone: a stone with a natural hole in it, used as protection against the power of
fairies
Changeling: a baby or young child thought to have been replaced by a fairy, usually
associated with sickly children
Changeling Egg: used to tempt the fairy changeling to reveal itself and return the
human child
33
Elfshot: prehistoric arrowhead thought to be used by fairies/witches to cause harm,

could also be used as a protective amulet
Fairy Blast: to be bewitched or harmed by a fairy wind/power
Fairy hill: associated with fairies, believed to be their dwelling place
Good Neighbours: euphemism for fairies
Green: colour of nature, associated with fairies
Group of fairies: group of fairies
Horseshoe: believed to protect against fairy power because it was made of iron
Iron: cold iron believed to protect against fairy power
King of Fairy: male leader of the fairy group
Male fairy (elf): male fairy, not the king, sometimes also referred to as an elf
Meeting at 12:00: meeting that was described as taking place at either noon or
midnight. This was important as a boundary or liminal time between night
and day or day and night.
Midnight: liminal boundary time between night and day
Queen of Fairy: female leader of a group of fairies, sometimes called Queen of
Elphame or Elfane
Rowan: tree traditionally believed to protect against the power of fairies and witches
Spinning: traditional skill associated with fairies
Sunrise: boundary time, boundary times were often associated with fairies
Thorn Tree: tree traditionally believed to protect against the power of fairies
Well: well or spring often believed to be associated with or used by fairies
Whirlwind: blast of fairy wind that was believed to cause harm
Motif_Type - refers to a motif associated with unorthodox religious practices. By

this we mean either remnants of Catholic worship, variant versions of
Protestantism, pre-Christian beliefs and/or ceremonies, and any other
prohibited religious or spiritual expression.
Angels: pre-Reformation invocation of angels for intercession, condemned by
Protestant church
Baptising animals: carrying out the religious sacrament of baptism on an animal seen
as a perversion of religion
Bible: Christian scriptures
Cross: Holy Cross, Christian emblem of the crucifixion
Eschatology: theology concerned with death and final destiny
Flask of Water: possible reference to holy water
Holy water: blessed or sacred water believed to have special powers
34
Holy well: well or spring believed to have special powers, sometime associated with a
saint of other revered figure or fairies. Wells were believed to have special
powers of healing. The Protestant church condemned pilgrimages to wells or
use of holy wells for healing or restoration.
Nine: repetition of action 3x3, powerful number and motif used in many cultures
Pilgrimage: journey to sacred place, banned by the Scottish parliament in 1581
Prayer: invocation, which may have been thought to have been used in a superstitious
or ignorant way
Saints: pre-Reformation invocation of saints for intercession, condemned by
Protestant church
Scripture: extracts from the Christian bible, verses or prayers
Sign of the cross: crossing oneself, emblem of crucifixion, associated with
Catholicism, condemned by Protestant church
Six: repetition of action 2x3 times
Three: significant number and motif, both Christian and pre-Christian symbolism
Trinity: Christian Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Ghost
OrdealType – An ordeal was a test conducted in order to let nature or God reveal the
truth. It was technically distinct from torture, although many ordeals involved
painful procedures.
Bierricht (corpse bleeds): corpse bleeds when touched by person who was guilty of
the murder
Ducking: otherwise known as the water test. The accused person was put in water to
see if they floated. If they sank they were seen to be innocent and efforts were
made to rescue the suspect. If they floated they were seen to be guilty. This
test was rarely used in Scotland.
Pricking: the body of the suspect witch was pricked with pins in order to find a
Devil’s mark. Learned belief said that the Devil’s mark was left on the body
of the witch after she or he had sealed a pact with the Devil. It was believed to
be insensitive to pain. Often moles, warts or other visible skin blemishes were
tested and shown to be Devil’s marks.
Searching: general, non-specified searching for Devil’s marks
Victim Fit: used in possession cases to identify the person causing the possession,
victim had fit in presence of suspected persecutor
RitualObject_Type – This field records objects that were described in the documents
as being used in a ritualised way or for a ritualistic purpose.
Ale: alcohol, no specific symbolic use. Often described as being used for
reconciliation of quarrels.
Almond: non-native, exotic plant, association between almond tree and the Virgin
Amulet: protective charm (stone, pebble) worn or placed in a house
35
Animal dung: animal excreta was believed to have healing properties – possibly
transferring life force, like blood
Aqua Vitae: Water of Life, a distilled spirit (probably whisky)
Ash: the ash tree or its ashes could be used, ashes used in religious & healing rituals,
sap of the tree had protective properties,
Axe: made of iron, used to protect against fairies
Bannock: cakes often used in divination rituals or for good luck/protection
Baton: no specific symbolic use, but possibly a symbolic weapon, phallus, or staff of
office.
Bead: decorative item used as an amulet or votive offering
Beetle: in Ireland known as darbhdaol or devil’s coach horse
Belt: and girdle, often associated with fertility or predicting outcome of illness
Bird (dead): no specific symbolic use, used to transfer dangerous magical substances
or to cause harm.
Blood (animal): special qualities of the animal passed to human, as with dung
Bone: last part of body to decay and contained last of the physical soul, also used in
divination
Book: bible or other religious missal or herbal, the written word was seen to have
magical properties for non-literate society, used in divination
Bowl: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Branch: part of non-specified tree, some trees were seen to have protective or magical
powers
Bread: could be an offering to supernatural powers, had healing and/or protective
properties
Bridle/collar: like belt, used in some sympathetic magical rituals (sympathetic magic
is when an object is used to stand in for a specific person or thing)
Butter: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Caird: instrument used to card wool, used in sympathetic magical ritual
Camomile: medicinal herb, has calming effect on digestion, aids sleep and protects
against nightmares
Cat: sacred animal, often associated with bringing bad luck
Cheese: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Clay: figures made of clay used in image magic to represent the intended victim
Cloth: used to represent the sick person, blessed and returned to them to provide cure,
or sometimes a cloth was wrapped around items to make a sachet for charms
(good or bad)
Clothing: used to represent the sick person, blessed and returned to them to provide a
cure
Coal: good luck amulet
36
Cockerel: sacred bird, announcer of the dawn, used in sacrificial rituals and divination
Coin: could be left as a votive offering or used as an amulet
Corn: no specific symbolic use, but as living grain associated with fertility and growth
Corpse: used to provide/transfer magical properties of the dead
Corpse powder: used to provide/transfer magical properties of the dead
Crook: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Curch: kerchief or woman’s hat, sometimes removed during a curse/harmful ritual
Dog: no specific symbolic use
Drink: no specific symbolic use but used to administer/transfer magical
properties/powers
Earth: refers to soil, believed to represent the power of nature, fertility and growth
Egg: supernatural symbol, earth/life/soul, associated with fertility, Easter and fairies
Elfshot: prehistoric arrowhead used by fairies/witches to cause harm, could be used as
protective amulet
Feathers: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Fire: basic element, seen to have purifying powers. Also possibly associated with
hellfire. Many symbolic and ritual events used fire.
Flask of Water: used to transport blessed or sacred water
Flesh: specifically animal meat, not human flesh, no specific symbolic use but used in
sympathetic magic both to harm and for healing (sympathetic magic is when
an object is used to stand in for a specific person or thing)
Foxtree Leaves: Foxglove, medicinal plant that affects the heart, also used an amulet
against demonic powers
Frog: as for toad, associated with Devil, sin and impurity, used in transference of
disease
Garland: non-specific garland of plants/flowers, no specific symbolic use
Garlic: stinkweed, medicinal plant, antiseptic qualities, believed to drive away evil
Glass: no specific symbolic use
Glove: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Grain: same meaning as corn, no specific symbolic use, but as living grain associated
with fertility and growth
Grass: no specific symbolic use, but associated with fertility and growth
Grave earth: used to provide/transfer magical properties of the dead
Hair: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals, or sometimes in
sympathetic magic to stand in for the victim
Hairbelt: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Hand (dead): used to provide/transfer magical properties of the dead
Hen: associated with weather, fertility symbol, blood used in healing rituals
37
Herb: non-specified medicinal herbs

Hook: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Horseshoe: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Iron: metal, usually cold, traditionally believed to protect against harmful power of
fairies/witches
Iron (hot): protection from harmful power of fairies
Jewel: non-specified gem stone, used as amulet
Knife: sharp, made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Lead: used to identify illness and divine its outcome
Leather Strap: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Lee Penny: it is a little red stone encased in silver, the family claimed it was brought
back from the Crusades. It was believed to have magical properties. Used in
rituals – dipped in water, stirred three times, water used to heal
animals/humans. Owned by the Lockhart family,
Liver: believed to be seat of strength/courage, could counteract harmful magic
Meal: no specific symbolic use, but is living grain associated with fertility and growth
Metal: non-specified but some had traditional protective properties
Milk: often left as an offering to helpful supernatural spirits/beings
Mole's feet: moles associated with underground and demons
Money: and coins, could be left as a votive offering or used as an amulet
Nail: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Nail trimmings: to be used/destroyed carefully to avoid transfer of illness or being
used in witchcraft rituals, could be used in sympathetic magic to stand for the
victim
Nettle: medicinal plant, effective against green venom, toothache, consumption and
the Devil
Oil: for anointing as part of healing rituals
Onion: medicinal plant, effective against sores, headaches, colds, fever and warts
Paper: on which might be written words of prayers or gospel, used as
healing/protective amulets
Pillows: no specific symbolic use
Pin: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies, often left as
votive offerings at wells/shrines
Plant: non-specified medicinal plant
Plough: made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies, possibly
symbolising fertility
Pot: no specific symbolic use, used in transference rituals
Potions: non-specified salves or drinks
38
Pottage: oatmeal porridge, non-specified use

Powder: no specific symbolic use, possibly a poison or ground up corpse powder
Ribbon: no specific symbolic use, but often used to tie around sick person as part of
healing ritual
Ring: gold rings used against eye diseases
Rok(distaff): normally used in spinning, no specific symbolic use
Rowan tree: believed to protect against the harmful powers of fairies and witches
Salt: used to cleanse/purify, also had protective/healing qualities, possible religious
symbolism
Salt water: used to cleanse/purify, also had protective/healing qualities, possible
religious symbolism
Salve: non-specified ointment applied to heal
Sand: possibly representing the power of nature, fertility and growth
Scissors: sharp, made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies,
smaller than shears
Sea Nut: Molluka bean from the West Indies, found on west coast of Scotland, worn
as protective amulets, used to recover spoilt milk
Shears: sharp, made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies, could
be used with a sieve for divination, bigger than scissors
Shirt: used to represent the sick person, blessed and returned to them to provide cure
Shoes: associated with good /bad luck, often associated with
marriage/fertility/childbirth
Sieve: used in divination rituals, often with shears
Silver: highly prized metal, associated with purity, used as protection against
witchcraft/evil
Smoke: no specific symbolic use, possibly associated with the supposed purifying
powers of fire or used as a sort of fumigation.
Snail: no specific symbolic use
Snake skin: no specific symbolic use, possible association with the Devil in the
garden of Eden
Spindle: normally used in spinning, no specific symbolic use
Spit: saliva, associated with good luck or warding off evil, cures toothache, warts
Stick: no specific symbolic use, possibly a wand or a protective tree, possibly similar
to a baton
Stones: healing stones regarded/identified as being special
Straw: no specific symbolic use
Sword: sword, made of iron, used for protection from harmful power of fairies
Tether: used in healing and harmful rituals, particularly if stolen from an intended
victim
39
Thread: often used to tie around sick person as part of healing ritual
Toad: as for frog, associated with Devil, sin and impurity, used in transference of
disease
Tobacco: non-native, exotic plant, no specific symbolic use, regarded as medicinal
Tree: non-specified, some are associated with healing/protective powers
Turf: representing the power of nature, fertility and growth
Urine: no specific symbolic use, but often used in healing rituals or medicines
Urine (stale): no specific symbolic use, but often used in healing rituals or medicines
Vinegar: no specific symbolic use
Water: life giving, associated with healing power of nature, spirits and saints
Watercress: medicinal plant, antiscorbutic qualities, said to increase appetite
Wax: figures/pictures made of wax used in image magic to represent the intended
victim, this is sympathetic magic, the three dimensional figure was used to
stand in for the body of the intended victim.
Wax/clay images: used in image magic to represent the intended victim
Wayburn leaf: or waybread, common plantain, sacred medicinal herb, diuretic and
astringent properties
Wheat: no specific symbolic use, but as living grain associated with fertility and
growth
Wine: no specific symbolic use, but unusual ingredient, possible religious symbolism
Wood: non-specified type of wood, may have some special properties
Wort: infusion of malt, fermented to make ale, no specific symbolic use
Yarn: woollen thread, often used to tie around sick person as part of healing ritual
ShapeChanging_Type – This field records any description or indication that the

accused witch changed her or his shape or form.
Animal: accused witch appeared in the form of an animal
Apparition: accused witch appeared in the form of an apparition
Insect: accused witch appeared in the form of an insect
Vision: accused witch appeared as a vision
In Dream: accused witch appeared in a dream
Phantom: accused witch appeared in the form of an unspecified phantom
Spirit: accused witch appeared in the form of an unspecified spirit
40
SocioecStatus – This field is a subjective categorisation of accused witches’ socio-

economic status. We took into consideration a variety of factors, their
occupation (or that of their spouse); descriptions of ownership, wealth or
status in the documents; references to titles, land ownership or patronage
relationships; or descriptions and labels provided by contemporaries.
Lairds/Baron: high status landowners with inherited titles and lands, but not the top
rung of land holding society. These people were usually referred to as the
laird of somewhere. People in this category did not work their land or perform
a craft. They lived off rents or other kinds of income.
Landless: people without any access to any land or steady work, often described as
vagrants or vagabonds
Lower: quite poor, but people assigned this category had some access to land and at
least some kind of employment. They were subtenants, semi-skilled artisans,
colliers, gardeners, fishermen, workmen or sailors.
Middling: this category was assigned to people who had secure access to some land
and/or were secure craftsmen. The category includes portioners, tenant
farmers, baillies/factors, burgesses, lesser craftsmen (bakers, skinners,
weavers, cordiner, fleshers, etc.), and ministers. These were people who had
to work the land or at a craft for their living but were doing OK.
Nobility/Chiefs: major landowners, high status, inherited titles and lands. People
from this category did not work their land or perform a craft; they lived off
rents and income from property and titles.
Upper: people in this category were wealthy, they often had access to land and/or
property but no titles. They can be distinguished from Lairds/Baron and
Nobility/Chief because they had to work for their living. They were more
successful than the middling category either because they were very successful
at their work or were employed in more lucrative professions. They include
wealthy burgesses, important merchants, top level craftsmen (silversmiths,
surgeons, etc.), tacksmen, advocates/lawyers. Some people in this category
had as much or more wealth as the Laird/Baron or Nobility/Chief, but they
earned it and did not generally have titles.
Very Poor: people in this category had some limited access to land/employment to
provide a meagre living. They include cottars, servants in small households,
grassmen, shepherds, and other types of odd jobs.
TortureType – this field records the types of torture used in witchcraft investigations.
Torture was the application of measured pain in order to coerce a person to
provide information. None of these tortures seem to have been technically
judicial torture.
Bound with ropes: tied by ropes for a period of time
Bow strings: pain caused by application of strings used in bows
Burning feet: feet burnt with hot coals
Caspicaws: cashielaws, Scottish term for the boots, an instrument of torture that
slowly crushed the shins, it could be tightened or loosened to inflict greater or
41
lesser pain. Recent work on cashielaws suggests that it was not, in fact, the
boots but rather a large metal instrument that folded the body in two.
Haircloth: the accused was covered with a cloth made of animal hair, could be very
painful on the skin
Hanging by thumbs: suspended by thumbs for a period of time
Irons: tied in iron chains
Rack: tied to wooden rack and stretched
Sleep Deprivation: watched and warded, kept awake continuously
Stocks: put in wooden frame with holes for legs
Thumbscrews: thumbs squeezed
Tied to pole: tied to pole for a period of time
Various: various non-specified type or types of torture
Wedges on the shins: pain caused by application of weights/wedges to the shins,
possibly the same as the ‘boots’
Whip: whipped with a whip or rope
Verdict – the final ruling on whether or not the accused witch was guilty of the crime
of witchcraft (as opposed to the individual indictments made against her or
him).
Guilty: found guilty of the crime of witchcraft, whether or not the suspect was found
innocent of some of the specific indictments.
Half Guilty: A catch-all term to include all those cases where the suspect was not
found guilty, but there was enough evidence to presume some culpability for
the crime. Not enough evidence to support a fully guilty verdict, but enough
evidence to show a strong suspicion of guilt. This sometimes resulted in being
found guilty of a lesser charge or being punished for suspicion of witchcraft.
Not Guilty: clengit or cleinged, not guilty of the crime of witchcraft
Not Proven: not enough evidence to proceed, but not completely exonerated
WhiteMagic_Type – Type of white magic described in the documents.

Astrology: study of influence of stars on human affairs
Diagnose Bewitchment: ability to identify witchcraft as cause of trouble/illness
Divination: foretelling future events or discovering secret knowledge
Finding lost goods: ability to locate lost or stolen goods
Love magic: using magic to influence love and/or sexual relations
Opening Lock: ability to open locks without physical contact
Prophesy: foretelling/predicting the future
Protective: magic used to provide general protection against harmful powers
42
Second Sight: power to foresee the future

Spirit Medium: person who claimed to communicate with spirits of the dead
43
IV. DATABASE PROVENANCE
A. DESCRIPTIONS OF SOURCES USED
JC2, JC3 – Books of Adjournal (NAS)

JC2 and JC3 are the records of the Court of Justiciary, a criminal court
conducted in Edinburgh. The court was presided over by High Court judges. Most
cases were prosecuted by the Lord Advocate, a leading government official. Evidence
suggests that the Books of Adjournal were written after the trial from notes taken by a
clerk. The first series (JC2) dates from 16/10/1576 to 13/11/1699, the second (JC3)
from 13/11/1699 to 27/1/1738. Nearly a complete run survives. This is a crucial
source for the study of early modern witchcraft because these documents contain
some of the most detailed descriptions of accusations and trials. There are several
indexes for parts of the series but not all the cases are in the indexes.
JC10, JC11, JC12, JC13 – Circuit Court Minutes (NAS)

These are minutes taken during sessions of the circuit court. The circuit court
was a centrally organised travelling justiciary court that made semi-regular courses
throughout the regions of Scotland in 1655. See the NAS JC catalogues for a full
account of dates and places for circuit court minutes. We examined all relevant
volumes.
JC17 – Dittay Rolls from Circuit Court (NAS)

The dittay roll was a list of people for whom dittays (indictments) were
drafted. These were drawn up for trials to be held at circuit court.
JC26 – Boxes of Process Notes (NAS)

JC26 are process notes from justiciary proceedings. Documents in the boxes
can include: arrest warrants, summonses, pre-trial depositions, porteous rolls, criminal
letters, privy council orders and commissions, dittays, assize notes, lists of people
declared fugitive, or any other criminal process papers. The papers are from local
criminal procedures, circuit court notes, papers reviewed by the Privy Council, and
supplementary papers for the High Court. They contain information about all types of
crime including: witchcraft, rebellion, treason, murder, rape, adultery, theft, breaking
and entering, oppression, infanticide, and more. The project references for these boxes
will soon be out of date as the NAS plan to catalogue all the process papers. However
it is unclear when this will occur. If interested in materials in the JC26 boxes please
check with NAS staff before ordering any documents.
JC40 – Witchcraft papers (NAS)

This contains eleven bundles of witchcraft documents that were grouped
together at some point to form a small artificial collection of documents. The NAS
catalogue says that they are not sure who formed this collection or exactly when it
was formed. See NAS JC catalogues for a full listing of cases contained in JC40.
JP – Justice of the Peace records (NAS)

Very few survive from our time period, and they were not competent to hold
trials of witchcraft. Some witchcraft cases in Orkney seem to have been heard by JPs.
Therefore the project surveyed all the JP materials held in the Orkney Regional
44
Archives. In the rest of Scotland individual JPs were active in the early phases of a
witchcraft investigation. It was hoped that some would have kept notes about these
activities in their minute books, but few such books survive and no relevant notes
were found in them. It remains to examine their private papers for documents
pertaining to witchcraft. This was outside the scope of our project.
SC – Sheriff Court documents (NAS)

As a rule these were not surveyed by the project because witchcraft was not
tried in Sheriff courts. However, sheriffs and their deputies could be active in the
early phases of a witchcraft investigation. Like the JPs, it remains to examine their
private papers for documents pertaining to witchcraft. This was outside the scope of
our project. However, Orkney and Shetland are a special case as regards Sheriff
Courts and witchcraft prosecutions. Before 1611, Orkney and Shetland were not fully
incorporated into the Edinburgh/central administration of justice in Scotland. And
even after that date witchcraft cases were heard in the Sheriff Courts due to the
extreme distances involved in seeking central permission for a witchcraft trial.
Therefore, we surveyed the published records of the Sheriff Courts of Orkney and
Shetland.
PC – Records of the Privy Council (NAS)

The records of the Privy Council from 1545 to 1691 have been published in
the Register of Privy Council of Scotland (RPC). The published version incorporated
separate manuscript series (including the Acta, Decreta, and Commissions) into one
chronologically organised text. Each volume has a lengthy introduction to the history
of the years covered and an extensive place, name and subject index. The published
version ends in 1691, but the Privy Council records continue until 1708. National
Library of Scotland Advocates’ MS 31.3.10, the volume of commissions for 1630-
1642, which should have been catalogued as PC7/4, was not included in RPC. It has
been edited by Dr. L. Yeoman and included in the database. Likewise, PC1/47-53
were not published in RPC and have been included in the database. After 1598 the
Privy Council was the normal body issuing commissions of justiciary for local
witchcraft trials, and its registers of commissions (established in 1608) contain more
names of witches than any other source. Unfortunately there is rarely any information
on the fate of the witches for whom trial commissions were issued. The Privy
Council also issued various other orders relating to the processing of witches in the
localities. It also expected those seeking commissions of justiciary to produce
detailed pre-trial evidence (such as confessions or witnesses’ depositions), and in a
few cases these too are retained in its papers.
PA11 – Committee of Estates (NAS)

During the covenanting revolution of the 1640s, power was held by parliament
and not the king. When parliament was not in session it usually appointed a
Committee of Estates as an executive organ of daily government, superseding the
Privy Council. This body issued commissions of justiciary for local witchcraft trials
much as the Privy Council did.
Marwick Papers, D31 (Orkney Regional Archive, Kirkwall)

This collection brings together Ernest Marwick’s notes, unpublished writings
and some primary documents. He was a folklorist and local historian of Orkney. The
main feature of the collection is his unpublished folklore treatise called ‘Northern
45
Witches: with some account of the Orkney witchcraft trials’. This is the typescript of
a short book incorporating the information from D31/4/3 and from John G. Dalyell,
The Darker Superstitions of Scotland (1834). The whole collection was surveyed.
CH2 - Kirk session records (NAS and regional archives, see Bibliography)
These are manuscript records of the minutes of meetings held at parish or kirk level in
the post-Reformation church in Scotland. Meetings were often held weekly. In
many parishes the meetings were held less often, the minute books have not
survived or the kirk session was not fully established. Kirk session minutes
that have survived did not follow a standardised procedure of documentation,
and so the kind of information recorded can vary greatly.
Ministers and elders attended the meetings. Elders were male lay members of
the congregation and consisted for the most part of landowners, mercantile elite,
craftsmen and farmers. A clerk would be appointed to record the minutes.
Kirk sessions could investigate, and make judicial decisions, on cases of
sexual offence, quarrelling and slandering, sabbath breaking and other miscellaneous
offences into which latter category fell suspected cases of witchcraft and magic. If the
investigation revealed demonic witchcraft practice the accused would be referred to
the secular authorities, although they often contacted the presbytery for further advice.
The church courts had no criminal jurisdiction and could not pass a sentence of capital
punishment; this was left to the secular courts of law. Punishments meted out by
church courts consisted of public repentance in sackcloth or stool and/or monetary
fines.
Most of the kirk session records are held at the National Archives of Scotland but
others are held at local archives including St Andrews University Library Special
Collections, Stirling, Ayr, Dundee, Aberdeen, Orkney and Mitchell Library in
Glasgow.
CH2 - Presbytery records (NAS and regional archives, see Bibliography)

These are manuscript records of the minutes of meetings held at presbytery
level. The presbytery was a higher level of church court than the kirk session and
consisted of representatives from between 10 and 19 kirk sessions. One minister was
elected moderator. Presbyteries met less often than kirk sessions, usually once a
month. They could adjudicate over the same areas as the kirk sessions, and in many
cases they appear to have been more concerned with discipline than some kirk
sessions.
The jurisdiction and legality of presbyteries was not uniform throughout the
period 1563 to 1736. Presbyteries were first introduced in 1581 (13 model
presbyteries) and 49 were established by 1607. During1610-1638 and 1661-89
episcopal authority dominated the presbyterian organisation, although the presbyteries
continued to meet.
Most of the presbytery records are held at the National Archives of Scotland
but others are held at local archives including St Andrews University Library Special
Collections, Stirling, Ayr, Dundee, Aberdeen, Orkney and Mitchell Library in
Glasgow.
Private papers
Pollok Papers, T-PM 107/14/7-8. Private papers belonging to the Maxwell of
Pollok family held at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow.
46
Burgh Court Books

Records of local burgh courts. Held at NAS or local archives, as listed above.
Burgh Treasurer’s Accounts

Records of local burgh council accounts. Held at NAS or local archives, as
listed above.
Miscellaneous manuscript sources
Aberdeen City Archives (ACA), Press 18/64

This box holds items related to witchcraft trials from Aberdeen between 1595
and 1597. It contains some material not printed in Spalding Club Miscellany, vol i,
although most of the material was printed there. Held at Aberdeen City Archives.
Printed sources
Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland (APS)

T. Thomson and C. Innes (editors), London, 1814-75. Printed records of
parliamentary meetings and acts.
Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: The Succession of Ministers in the Church of

Scotland from the Reformation
Hew Scott (editor), Edinburgh, 1915-28. Biographical and professional
information about Protestant ministers in Scotland. Organised by synod, presbytery
and parish and includes information about parishes as well ministers.
Highland Papers, volume 3

J R N Macphail (editor), Scottish History Society, Edinburgh, 1920. Edited
transcript of miscellaneous papers held at Inveraray, some of which related to
witchcraft investigations and trials. Not official court papers.
Miscellany of the Spalding Club, volumes I, iv & v

John Stuart (editor), Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1841-52. Includes edited
transcripts of documents from trials for witchcraft held at Aberdeen in the sixteenth
century.
Orkney Folklore and Traditions

Walter Traill Dennison and Ernest W Marwick, Kirkwall, 1961. An account of
folklore traditions of the islands of Orkney, which includes material about witchcraft
accusations and prosecutions.
Spottiswoode Miscellany: a collection of original papers and tracts, illustrative

chiefly of the civil and ecclesiastical history of Scotland, volume 2
James Maidment (editor), Spottiswoode Society, Edinburgh, 1844-5. Includes
edited and abbreviated transcripts of documents from trials for witchcraft.
47
The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland

J. Stuart et al (editors), Edinburgh, 1899-1909. Edited and printed records of
the comptroller of Scotland who collected and distributed Crown revenues. We used
the ‘responde books’ recording the issue of commissions of justiciary.
The Justiciary Records of Argyll and the Isles, volume 1

John Cameron (editor), Stair Society, Edinburgh, 1949. Edited transcripts of
the records of the Sheriffdom and Justiciary of Argyll. The Campbells had hereditary
jurisdiction over Argyll and the Isles until 1748. Despite reforms concerning
regulations of the justice system during the seventeenth century, the Campbell earl of
Argyll as Hereditary Justice General appointed his own Justice-Clerk, Justice-Deputes
and Justice-Substitutes.
The records are referred to as being the Book of Adjournal of the Sheriffdom of
Argyll, Isles and others. However, it is not a complete record of proceedings. It may
have been compiled from one or more records, as the entries are not authenticated by
any official signatures. It is likely that this manuscript was a copy of an original
minute book.
B. FULL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PRIMARY, PRINTED PRIMARY AND

SECONDARY SOURCES
MANUSCRIPT SOURCES – Secular (NAS unless otherwise specified)

JC2/1-17 (18 and 19 not for production)
JC3/1-21
JC10/1-6
JC10/15
JC10/4-5 (old, Renfrewshire and Paisley cases)
JC11/1-9 (north circuit)
JC12/1-5 (south circuit)
JC13/1-7 (west circuit)
JC17/1
JC26/9-10
JC26/12-13
JC26/24-28
JC26/34-36
JC26/38
JC26/40
JC26/47-54
JC26/62-63
JC26/70-71
JC26/80-81
JC26/86-88
JC26/89b
JC26/90
JC 26/92
JC 26/94
JC26/113-116
JC40 (witchcraft papers)
JC49/10
48
All JP indexes
JP3/2/1-3
JP35/4
PC1/47
PC1/48
PC1/50 (this index was not consulted as it was not available for production)
PC1/51
PC1/52
PC1/53
PA11/8
PA11/9
NAS Indexes
JC26/1-7High Court Record, Index No. 1 – 15 July 1537-25 Nov 1785 (not a
complete listing of cases in JC2 and JC3).
Justiciary Records, Books of Adjournal, O. S., vol. 5, 1611-1619, index
Justiciary Records, Books of Adjournal, O. S., vol. 6, 1619-1631, Index
NAS, Index to Justiciary Records, 1699-1720
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND

Advocates’ MS 31.3.10 (PC register of commissions)
ORKNEY ARCHIVES
JP34/2/1 1663-1668, also includes material from 1676-1677
JP34/2/1 minute books, quarter sessions 9 Oct. 1663-12 Aug. 1668
JP34/5/1 1658-1659 (24 items)
JP34/5/1/56 1658-1659
JP24/5/2 1716, 1755, 1783 – 1799 (8 items)
SC10/1/6 1630-1648
SC10/1/7 1655-1659
SC10/1/9 1655-1677
SC11/5 indexes1561-1737
SC11/5/1646/10
MANUSCRIPT SOURCES – Ecclesiastical (NAS unless otherwise specified. There

is often a microfilm copy at the NAS of manuscripts held at local archives)
Presbytery Records
Aberdeen, CH2/1/1-8
Aberlour, CH2/6/1-3
Abernethy, CH2/437/1
Abertarff, CH2/7/1
Arbroath, CH2/15/1-5
Auchterarder, CH2/619/1-2
Ayr, CH2/532/1-5 (Ayrshire Archives)
Biggar, CH2/35/1-8
Brechin, CH2/40/1-9
Cairston, CH2/46/1 (Orkney Archives)
Caithness, CH2/47/1-4
49
Chanonry, CH2/66/1-4
Chirnside, CH2/516/1-4
Cupar, CH2/82/1-7 (St Andrews University Library)
Dalkeith, CH2/424/1-12
Deer, CH2/89/1-5
Dingwall, CH2/92/1-6
Dornoch, CH2/1290/1-2
Dumbarton, CH2/546/1-4
Dumfries, CH2/1284/1-7
Dunbar, CH2/99/1-6
Dunblane, CH2/723/1-9 (Stirling Council Archives)
Dundee, CH2/103/1-11 (Stirling Council Archives)
Dunfermline, CH2/105/1-6
Dunkeld, CH2/106/1-6
Dunoon, CH2/111/1-4
Duns, CH2/113/1-6
Earlston, CH2/118/1-4
Edinburgh, CH2/121/ 1-13
Elgin, CH2/144/1-6
Ellon, CH2/146/1-8
Fordoun, CH2/157/1-5
Fordyce, CH2/158/1-6
Forfar, CH2/159/1-3
Forres, CH2/162/1-2
Garioch, CH2/166/1-5
Glasgow, CH2/171/1-11 (Glasgow City Archives)
Haddington, CH2/155/1-12
Hamilton, CH2/393/1-3
Inveraray, CH2/190/1-2
Inverness, CH2/553/1-5
Irvine, CH2/197/1-4
Jedburgh, CH2/198/1-9
Kincardine O’Neil, CH2/602/1-2
Kintyre, CH2/1153/1-3
Kirkcaldy, CH2/224/1-6
Kirkcudbright, CH2/526/1-4
Lanark, CH2/234/1-8
Linlithgow, CH2/242/1-13
Lochmaben, CH2/247/1-3
Lorn, CH2/984/1-3
Meigle, CH2/263/1-9
Middlebie (Annan), CH2/267/1-3
Mull, CH2/273/1
North Isles, CH2/1801/1-2 (Orkney Archives)
Orkney, CH2/1082/1-7 (Orkney Archives)
Paisley, CH2/294/1-9
Peebles, CH2/295/1-10
Penpoint, CH2/298/1-3
Perth, CH2/299/1-14
Scalloway, CH2/1071/1-3
50
Selkirk, CH2/327/1-3
St Andrews, CH2/1132/1-4 (St Andrews University Library)
St Andrews, CH2/1132/1585-1605 (no NAS catalogue number) (St Andrews
University Library)
University Library)
University Library)
University Library)
University Library)
Stirling, CH2/722/1-12 (Stirling Council Archives)
Stranraer, CH2/341/1-3
Strathbogie, CH2/342/2-5
Tain, CH2/348/1-6
Tongue, CH2/508/1
Turriff, CH2/1120/1-4
Wigtown, CH2/373/1-3
Kirk Session Records

Aberdour, CH2/3/1
Airth, CH2/683/1
Alloa & Tullibody, CH2/942/5 (Stirling Council Archives)
Alves, CH2/11/1
Anstruther Easter, CH2/625/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Anstruther Wester, CH2/624/1 & 3 (St Andrews University Library)
Arbuthnott, CH2/16/1 & 2
Ashkirk, CH2/650/1
Auchterhouse, CH2/23/1 (Dundee City Archives)
Auchtermuchty, CH2/24/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Avendale, CH2/930/1
Ayr, CH2/751/1(/1 & 2), 2, 3 (/1 & 2) (Ayrshire Archives)
Bathgate, CH2/30/1
Belhelvie, CH2/32/1& 2
Bolton, CH2/37/1
Borharm & Dundurcas, CH2/1115/1
Botriphinie, CH2/39/1
Burntisland, CH2/523/1 & 2
Cambuslang Old, CH2/415/1
Cannisbay, CH2/52/1
Carluke, CH2/56/1
Carrington, CH2/62/1
Castleton, CH2/64/1
Ceres, CH2/65/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Clackmannan, CH2/1242/1
Clatt, CH2/971/1
Cleish, CH2/67/1
Colinton, CH2/123/1 (Transcript of vol 1, CH2/123/1/1)
51
Colmonell, CH2/425//1
Corstorphine, CH2/124/1
Cortachy, CH2/561/1
Covington, CH2/72/1
Cramond, CH2/426/1
Croy, CH2/76/1
Cullen, CH2/1113/1
Culross, CH2/77/2 & 4
Dairsie, CH2/427/1
Dalkeith, CH2/84/1 & 3
Dalmellington, CH2/85/1 (Ayrshire Archives)
Dron, CH2/93/1
Duffus, CH2/96/1/2
Dumfries, St Michael’s, CH2/537/13
Dunbar, CH2/647/1
Dunbarney, CH2/100/2
Dunblane, CH2/101/1 (Stirling Council Archives)
Dundonald, CH2/104/1-3 (Ayrshire Archives)
Dunfermline, CH2/592/1
Dunino, CH2/405/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Dyce, CH2/117/1
Dysart, CH2/390/2
Ecclesmachan, CH2/623/1
Edinburgh, Canongate, CH2/122/2, 3 & 4
Edinburgh, St Cuthbert’s, CH2/718/1, 3 & 6 (Volume 2, too damaged, not available
for consultation)
Edinburgh, Trinity, CH2/141/1 & 3
Edinkillie, CH2/432/1
Elgin, St Giles, CH2/145/1, 2, 5 & 7
Ellon, CH2/147/2
Essil, CH2/839/1
Falkirk, CH2/400/1 & 2
Falkland, CH2/428/1 & 2 (St Andrews University Library)
Fenwick, CH2/982/1
Ferryport-on-Craig, CH2/150/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Fetteresso, CH2/153/1
Fintry, CH2/438/1 (Stirling Council Archives)
Fordyce, CH2/1114/1
Forglen, CH2/869/1
Forgue, CH2/539/1
Forres, CH2/1448/1
Fraserburgh, CH2/1142/2 & 3
Galston, CH2/1335/2 & 5
Gargunnock, CH2/1121/1 (Stirling Council Archives)
Glasgow, St Mungo’s, CH2/550/1 & 2 (Glasgow City Archives)
Govan, CH2/1277/1 (Glasgow City Archives)
Grange, CH2/541/2
Haddington, CH2/799//1 & 3
Hamilton, Old, CH2/465/7
Humbie, CH2/389/1
52
Hutton & Fishwick, CH2/466/1

Inchbrayock, CH2/616/1
Inchture, CH2/188/1 (Dundee City Archives)
Innerwick, CH2/1463/1
Inveraray, CH2/663/1
Inveravon, CH2/191/1
Inveresk, CH2/531/1
Inverurie, CH2/196/1
Kelso, CH2/1173/2 & 4
Kemback, CH2/204/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Kemnay, CH2/542/1
Kennoway, CH2/206/1
Kilconquhar, CH2/210/1 & 2 (St Andrews University Library)
Kilmadock, CH2/212/2 (Stirling Council Archives)
Kilmarnock, CH2/1252/1
Kilwinning, CH2/591/1
Kinfauns, CH2/582/1
Kingarth, CH2/219/1
Kinghorn, East, CH2/472/1
Kinglassie, CH2/406/1
Kinnaird, CH2/418/1 (Dundee City Archives)
Kinneff, CH2/218/1
Kinnell, CH2/574/1
Kirkliston, CH2/229/1
Kirknewton, CH2/412/1
Kirkoswald, CH2/562/1 (Ayrshire Archives)
Lasswade, CH2/471/1, 2 & 3
Liberton, CH2/383/1
Lilliesleaf, CH2/241/1
Linlithgow, St Michael’s, CH2/740/1
Livingston, CH2/467/2
Logierait, CH2/694/2
Longforgan, CH2/249/1 (Dundee City Archives)
Longside, CH2/699/1 & 2
Lyne, CH2/255/1
Markinch, CH2/258/1 & 2
Melrose, CH2/386/1
Menmuir, CH2/264/1
Mid Calder, CH2/266/1
Monkton, CH2/809/1 & 5 (Ayrshire Archives)
Montrose, CH2/943/1
Mortlach, CH2/529/1
Newbattle, CH2/276/4
Newburgh, CH2/277/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Newburn, CH2/278/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Newton, CH2/283/1 & 2
Newtyle West CH2/284/1
North Berwick, CH2/285/4
North Leith, CH2/621/1
Old Machar, Aberdeen, CH2/1020/1, 2 & 3
53
Oldhamstocks, CH2/288/1
Ormiston, CH2/292/1
Peebles Old, CH2/420/1
Pencaitland, CH2/296/1
Penicuik, CH2/297/1
Perth, St John’s, CH2/521/2
Petty, CH2/458/1
Pittenweem, CH2/833/1 (St Andrews University Library)
Polwarth, CH2/721/1
Queensferry, South, Old CH2/689/1
Rothesay, CH2/890/1
Rothiemay, CH2/416/1& 2
Rutherglen, CH2/315/1 (Glasgow City Archives)
St Madoes, CH2/1198/1& 2 (St Andrews University Library)
St Nicholas, Aberdeen, CH2/448/5 & 8
Scoonie, CH2/326/1
Shapinsay, CH2/1100/1
Shotts, CH2/460/1
Slains, CH2/480/1
South Leith, CH2/716/1, 3, 5 & 6
Stirling, Holy Rude, CH2/1026/1, 3 & 4 (Stirling Council Archives)
Stirling, St Ninian’s, CH2/337/1 (Stirling Council Archives)
Stow, CH2/338/1 & 2
Tealing, CH2/352/1 (Dundee City Archives)
Thurso, St Peter’s, CH2/414/1
Tillicoultry, CH2/726/1 (Stirling Council Archives)
Tyninghame, CH2/359/1 & 2
Wemyss, CH2/365/1 & 2
Yester, CH2/377/1 & 2
OTHER MANUSCRIPT SOURCES

Aberdeen City Archives, Press 18/64 Witchcraft no. 4 & 6
Glasgow City Archives, Pollok Papers, T-PM 107/14/7-8
Dundee City Archives, Dundee Burgh Court Books, Volumes 29, 31, 32, 34
Dundee City Archives, Dundee Treasurer’s Accounts, Volume 3 (1646-96)
Ayr Archives, Ayr Court Book B/37/11/1-2
Ayrshire Archives, Ayr Court Book B6/12/13
Orkney Archives, Marwick Papers, D31/4/3
Orkney Archives, Marwick Papers, D31/4/4
PRINTED PRIMARY SOURCES
The Acts of Parliament of Scotland, (APS), volumes 3, 6 (parts 1 & 2) & 7,

T. Thomson and C. Innes (editors), London, 1814-75.
Ayr Burgh Accounts, 1534-1624,George S. Pryde (editor), SHS, Edinburgh, 1937.
Calendar of Scottish State Papers Relating to Scotland and Mary Queen of Scots,
1547-1603, volumes 3-9, W. K. Boyd (editor), Edinburgh, 1936.
54
Court Books of Orkney and Shetland, 1612-1613, Robert S. Barclay (editor),

Kirkwall, 1962.
Court Books of Orkney and Shetland, 1614-1615, Robert S. Barclay (editor), SHS,
Edinburgh, 1967.
The Court Book of Shetland, 1602-1604, Gordon Donaldson (editor), SRS,

Edinburgh, 1954.
Court Book of Shetland, 1615-1629, Gordon Donaldson (editor), Lerwick, 1991.
Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Survey of Scottish Topography, Statistical,

Biographical, and Historical, Francis H. Groome, volumes 1 – 6, Edinburgh, 1885.
Highland Papers, volume 3, J R N Macphail (editor), SHS, Edinburgh, 1920.
Justiciary Records, Volume II 1669-1673, W. G. Scott-Moncreiff (editor), SHS,

Edinburgh, 1905.
Justiciary Records of Argyll and the Isles, volume 1, 1664-1705, John Cameron
(editor), Stair Society, Edinburgh, 1949.
Miscellany of the Maitland Club, volume ii, part I, ‘Acts and Statues of the Lawting
Sheriff and Justice Courts within Orkney and Zetland’, 1602-1644, Edinburgh, 1840.
Miscellany of the Spalding Club, volumes i, iv & v, John Stuart (editor), Aberdeen,
1841-52.
Miscellany of the Spottiswoode Society, volume ii, James Maidment (editor),

Edinburgh, 1844-5.
Criminal Trials in Scotland, R. Pitcairn (editor), 3 volumes, Bannatyne Club,

Edinburgh, 1833.
Records of the Commissioners of the General Assemblies of the Church of Scotland,

1646-1647, Alexander F. Mitchell and James Christie, volume 1, SHS, Edinburgh,
1892-1909.
Rotuli Scaccarii Regum Scotorum: The Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, volume xx, J.
Stuart et al (editors), Edinburgh, 1899-1908.
Selected Justiciary Cases, S.A. Gillon (editor), volume I, Stair Society, Edinburgh,
1953.
Selected Justiciary Cases, J. Irvine Smith (editor), volume II, Stair Society,
Edinburgh, 1972.
Selected Justiciary Cases, J. Irvine Smith (editor), volume III, Stair Society,
Edinburgh, 1974.
55
The Earl of Stirling’s register of royal letters relative to affairs of Scotland and Nova
Scotia from 1615 to 1635, William Alexander, Earl of Stirling (editor), volume 2,
Edinburgh, 1885.
SECONDARY SOURCES/REFERENCE WORKS

George F. Black, Surnames of Scotland, New York, 1946.
Concise Scots Dictionary, Aberdeen, 1987.
W. Traill Dennison and Ernest W Marwick, Orkney Folklore and Traditions,

Kirkwall, 1961.
Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (DOST).
Patricia Hanks and Flavia Hodges, Dictionary of First Names, Oxford, 1990.
Christina Larner et al., A Source Book of Scottish Witchcraft, SSRC project,

Department of Sociology, The University of Glasgow, 1977.
Maria Leach (editor), Funk & Wagnall’s Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology
and Legend, New York, 1949.
Hew Scott (editor), Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae: The Succession of Ministers in the
Church of Scotland from the Reformation, Edinburgh, 1915-28.
Sir John Sinclair (editor), The Statistical Account of Scotland, 1791-1799, Edinburgh,
1791-99.
Scottish National Dictionary (SND).
Stith Thompson, Motif Index of Folk Literature, Copenhagen, 1958.

56
V. METHODOLOGY
General Research Methodology

The main purpose of the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft (SSW) was to create an
extensive database of all people known to have been accused of witchcraft in Scotland
between 1563 and 1736. The database has incorporated and greatly extended the
information in A Source-Book of Scottish Witchcraft compiled by Christina Larner,
Christopher Hyde Lee, and Hugh V. McLachlan in 1977. The SSW database tipped
the information contained in Larner et al.’s ten fields into the biographical and
reference sections of the SSW database, which has over 300 fields. Dr. Stuart
Macdonald made this possible by kindly allowing us to use his personal digitisation of
the Source-Book. (See ‘Description of Survey of Scottish Witchcraft Database’ for a
full discussion of the database design and layout.) The SSW database was meant to
replace the Source-Book. The aim of the project was to create a research tool in the
form of a database that can be downloaded for free or used online with our custom-
made web tools that include interactive database searches, graphs, and maps. The
SSW database and interactive website provide detailed information about witchcraft
and associated beliefs, pre-trial and trial procedure for witchcraft investigation and
prosecution, characterisation of the main themes in each case and descriptions of
source materials.
The Source-Book surveyed central sources in Scotland. This included all the Books of
Adjournal, some Circuit Courts books, printed Privy Council material, printed
Parliamentary material, a limited survey of the process papers contained in the JC26
boxes and, what they called, ‘other cases’ which were mainly printed local records or
other people’s surveys of local records. The SSW research team re-surveyed all these
documents, many more central documents, all extant presbytery minutes, and a
sample of kirk session minutes.
The Source-Book did not survey local records or ecclesiastical records. The SSW
surveyed all extant Presbytery documents and sampled kirk session documents. (See
below for a description of the ecclesiastical survey methodology). Other potential
sources, such as sheriff and burgh court records as well as private papers, were
considered. But it was not possible to either survey or sample these efficiently in the
time available. These sources, particularly family papers, may well provide useful
material for future research projects.
People who were mentioned more than once were not collated in the Source-Book,
which meant that there were many duplicates. The book was also organised
chronologically by source type, which makes matching of references to the same
person more difficult for the user. The SSW has rectified the collation problem by
organising the database around each accused person, not around the source, and
citation and typing errors have been corrected as much as was possible. After
Macdonald’s digitised version of the Source-Book was put into the relevant fields in
the SSW database, the researchers eliminated several hundred duplicate people before
they began archival research. In order to avoid further duplication, the researchers
checked the Larner et al. information in the database before creating a new record for
an accused person found in the source material. If the researcher found a match, the
new data was entered into that record. After data collection was completed, the
researchers again eliminated further known duplicates by comparing name, place of
57
residence, dates of mention in the source material, and any other relevant biographical
data. In situations where duplication was suspected, but not provable unequivocally,
the records were not combined and this has been indicated in the notes in the relevant
records.
It was decided at the beginning of the project that it would not be cost effective to re-
check secondary printed sources that had been used by Larner et al. These sources
included many local histories, edited volumes of local records (both secular and
ecclesiastical), family histories and personal diaries, many of which were produced in
the nineteenth or early twentieth centuries. The references given by Larner et al. have
been recorded on the database and we have indicated in the individual records that
there may be more information in the secondary source for other researchers to use.
One researcher examined the central records, while the other concentrated on
ecclesiastical records. All records and new entries were scrutinised weekly to avoid
duplication.
Methodology for Secular Sources

The intention was to find the maximum amount of information about witchcraft
suspects and witchcraft material in the central sources within a two-year time limit.
We also wanted to develop ways of making sure our count was accurate while trying
to find as much detail about each accused witch in all the sources that mentioned
them. This presented a difficult balance. The project targeted those central justiciary
sources that were already known to contain witchcraft material from Larner et al. with
a supplement of process notes. The High Court of Justiciary Books of Adjournal
offered a good run of cases that were heard before the central courts. Due to time
constraints we read only Books of Adjournal when both Books of Adjournal and court
minutes survived. The court minutes may contain some more detail for already
known cases. Circuit Court minutes were surveyed in full. This was supplemented by
examining Porteous Rolls for Circuit Courts as well. Porteous Rolls are lists
compiled from the dittay books (JC16 and JC17) by the justice clerks and list
offenders prosecuted at Circuit Court only. The Register of Privy Council (RPC),
additional manuscript Privy Council minutes, Acts of the Parliament of Scotland
(APS) and the Committee of Estates contain details about the issuance of
commissions pursuant to witchcraft prosecution (including commissions of justiciary,
arrest, interrogation and cessation of prosecution). These sources provided many
names of accused witches and information about witchcraft prosecution. These were
surveyed in full.
Process notes for justiciary activities supervised or approved of by central authority in

Edinburgh are contained in JC26 boxes. Documents in the boxes can include arrest
warrants, summons, pre-trial depositions, Porteous Rolls, criminal letters, Privy
Council orders and commissions, dittays, assize notes, lists of people declared
fugitive, or any other criminal process papers. The papers are from local criminal
procedures, Circuit Court notes, papers reviewed by the Privy Council, and
supplementary papers for the High Court. They contain information about all types of
crime including witchcraft, rebellion, treason, murder, rape, adultery, theft, breaking
and entering, oppression, infanticide, and more.
58
The process papers are organised into 124 boxes that are roughly chronological.
These boxes contain a vast wealth of detail about criminal proceedings in Scotland,
but they present several difficulties. Firstly, only boxes 1563 and 1617 and between
1699 and 1720 are indexed. The remaining boxes are not indexed in any external
lists. Some of the papers in some of the boxes have been grouped into bundles. But
these bundles appear to have been randomly selected and the labels on some of the
bundles cannot be taken as an accurate indication of what is contained in the bundle.
Secondly, the boxes are not consistent in terms of the types of materials included. In
other words, they do not contain uniform information. Some boxes will contain
materials for specific crimes in specific years, such as witchcraft in JC26/26 and
JC26/27 or rounding up fugitives from the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in JC26/62. In
order to be fully comprehensive, all the papers in each box would have to be
examined but the sheer number of boxes prohibited a full survey given the limited
time available to the survey.
The project had two aims for the JC26s. The first was to maximise the witchcraft
material recovered from this source. Secondly, we also wanted to determine whether
witchcraft prosecution in other fully surveyed sources (such as JC2, JC3, the Circuit
Courts and the Privy Council) was predictive of the amount of material in JC26 boxes
corresponding to the same year. This would allow us to make a tentative statement
about whether or not we had missed cases. We could then be more certain about the
accuracy of our final number of cases.
We chose to conduct a full survey of boxes in which Larner et al. found witchcraft
material and to sample other JC26 boxes by year. Starting after 1617, because the
JC26s are indexed up to that year, the last two years in every decade were read in full.
Other known material was also included from boxes that cover other years. This
spread of dates allowed for samples that alternated between years for which we have
few witchcraft prosecutions found in other sources, with years for which many
witchcraft prosecutions were known. We were able to find more information for
already known cases and determine if the JC26s have material on cases that do not
show up in other, already surveyed, materials. Years surveyed by the SSW researcher
were 1618-20, 1628-30, 1638-40, 1648-50, 1658-1662, 1668-70, 1688-90, 1728-9.
(See ‘Database Provenance’ and ‘Bibliography’ for a full listing of JC26 boxes
surveyed.) The sample years break between 1699 and 1720 because they are indexed.
The indexed years confirm the hypothesis that JC26 process papers about witchcraft
mirror cases found in other justiciary sources. No new people accused of witchcraft
showed up in the JC26 process papers between 1699-1720 that were not also recorded
in other sources.
Ecclesiastical records
The church did not have criminal jurisdiction over the witchcraft, but parish ministers
and elders were involved in questioning suspects and witnesses, gathering evidence,
sometimes arresting and warding suspects, referring matters to the secular authorities
and witnessing executions. There were two levels of church court: kirk sessions for
individual parishes, and the higher level presbyteries, which consisted of
representatives from groups of parishes.
The project decided to survey all the surviving presbytery records covering the years
1563 to 1736, since most referrals went through the presbytery before advancing to
59
secular level. This involved 70 sets of presbytery records, with varying volumes of
minutes. Some had as few as one and the highest fourteen. The majority had between
four and seven. In total 392 volumes were surveyed. (See ‘Database Provenance’ and
‘Bibliography’ for a full description of sources surveyed.) This meant that we were
able to identify a number of those who were accused by the church but who did not
advance to secular court level, as well as more information about earlier stages of
investigation for some of those who had secular court trials.
It was impossible to survey all the kirk session material both because of the time
available and also in terms of revealing useful information. Although evidence about
witchcraft investigation is rare in these records, kirk sessions do contain interesting
material so the project decided to sample them. The chances of finding useful
information randomly was very limited therefore the sample had to be organised
efficiently. The possibility of doing a concentrated local study was considered – much
like work that has been done on Fife (by Stuart Macdonald) or Stirling and
Haddington (by Joyce Miller) – as a sample. However, it was decided that it was too
difficult to find a ‘typical’ sample area that would fulfil a range of criteria in order that
we could scale it up to project a legitimate estimated total for the whole country. (See
the interactive graphs on the website that illustrate the difference in distribution
between counties.)
For the purposes of our survey it was decided to concentrate on years of high
prosecution and cover all of the country, not just the areas where witch hunting
occurred. Our hypothesis was that any incident of serious witchcraft investigated by
kirk sessions would normally be referred to the presbytery. To ascertain if this was
correct, we examined all surviving kirk session minutes from the high intensity years.
All kirk session records that survive for the years 1590-1, 1597, 1628-30, 1649 and
1661-2 were surveyed. A total of 203 volumes were examined. (See ‘Database
Provenance’ and ‘Bibliography’ for a full description of sources surveyed.) Although
we found some new information, it was from parishes that we had already identified
as having been involved in witch hunting. When we examined records from parishes
where we suspected there was little or no witch hunting, based on information in
presbytery records, we did not find a significant amount of new information about
kirk session activity. We take this to mean that our hypothesis was correct.
There is potential for further surveying of church records from areas known to have
experienced witch prosecution, but due to time constraints we were unable to sample
kirk session material from non-high intensity years.
60
V. APPENDICES
A. Modernised/Standardised Last Names
A Wallis Bane Bogtown

Abbot Banks Bonar
Abel Bannatyne Bonn
Abernethy Bannerman Bornlie
Acheson Baptie Borthwick
Achibald Barber Boswell
Achmuty Barclay Bowar
Adair Bargans Bowden
Adam Barker Bowie
Adamson Barney Bowmaker
Addie Baron Bowndie
Addison Barrie Bowsie
Admiston Barrowman Boyd
Affleck Barten Boyle
Agnus Bartill Boyman
Aiken Bartleman Boyn
Aikenhead Barton Brackenridge
Aird Bathgate Braidhead
Airth Baxter Brand
Alan Beattie Breson
Alexander Beer Brocket
Alison Begbie Brodie
Allanshaw Belches Brotherstone
Allanson Bell Brotherstones
Anderson Bellanie Brown
Andrew Bennet Brownhill
Angus Bennett Bruce
Annan Berry Brugh
Anstruther Bertram Bryce
Archer Bess Bryson
Argyll Beveridge Buchan
Arklay Beverley Buchanan
Armstrong Bezok Budge
Aroane Biggam Bull
Astrin Bigland Burbar
Aunchtie Binney Burgess
Ayton Birnie Burgh
Baikie Bishop Burke
Baillie Bisset Burne
Bain Black Burness
Baines Blackburn Burnet
Baird Blackett Burrell
Balfour Bladderstouns Burt
Ballantine Blair Burton
Ballath Blyth Butter
Balmain Boag Buy
61
Cadenhead Cleghorn Crieff

Cairncross Cleland Cristell
Cairns Clench Crockaime
Callam Clerach Crockatt
Callander Clerk Cromarty
Callen Cleuch Crooks
Callwalls Clow Crosar
Campbell Cochran Crosbie
Cant Cock Cross
Card Cockburn Croudie
Carfrae Cockie Cruickshank
Carlips Colden Cuj
Carlisle Colin Cullen
Carmichael Colington Cumlaquoy
Carnochan Colquhoun Cumming
Carrick Colville Cumray
Carrie Comb Cunningham
Carrington Comes Curchan
Carrol Conchie Currie
Carruthers Condie Cursitter
Carse Congalton Cusing
Carson Conker Cutchmoulie
Carswell Connal Cuthbert
Carter Connochie Cuthbertson
Carvie Cony Dagger
Caskie Cooke Dalgleish
Casse Cooper Dallas
Castle Copland Dalling
Cathie Coran Dalmahoy
Cattanach Cornfoot Dalrymple
Cauldwell Corsan Dalyell
Cechie Corsbie Damiet
Chactach Corse Darling
Chalmers Coruth Darsie
Chancellor Cossie Davidson
Chapman Cothall Davie
Charters Coull Dawson
Chatto Couper Deans
Chib Coutts Demperston
Chirnside Covington Dempster
Chisholm Cowan Denholme
Chivas Cowie Dennis
Chousley Craig Desk
Chrichton Craigie Dewar
Christian Cramond Dick
Christie Cranston Dickie
Cieroch Crauford Dickson
Clacherty Craw Diverty
Clark Crawford Dobbie
Clarkson Crichton Dobson
62
Dock Eumond Fraser

Dod Ewan Frater
Dodds Ewart French
Dollar Eyre Friece
Dolsoun Fairgrieve Frissell
Dolt Fairlie Fullarton
Donald Fairwell Fulton
Donaldson Falconer Galbraith
Dott Farmer Gallie
Dougal Farquhar Galloway
Doughty Faw Garden
Douglas Fean Gardener
Dow Feirour Garlic
Drever Fellowsdale Garner
Dron Fenton Garvie
Drummond Fenwick Gaston
Drupes Fergie Gaul
Dryburgh Fergus Gavin
Drysdale Ferguson Gaw
Duchill Fiddler Gaylor
Duddingston Fife Geddes
Duff Finlay Geddie
Dun Finlayson Gelly
Dunbar Finn Gentleman
Duncan Finnie George
Dundas Fisher Gerard
Dune Fisher's Daughter Getgud
Dungalson Flayer Gibb
Dunkalow Fleck Gibson
Dunlop Fleming Gilbert
Durie Flesher Gilchrist
Durwart Flinker Gill
Dusone Flint Gill's Daughter
Dyat Flockhart Gillecallum
Dykes Flowers Gillepatrick
Dynnes Foden Gillespie
Easson Fogg Gillies
Edington Forbes Gillivray
Edward Ford Gilmichael
Ego Fordell Gilmore
Elder Forest Glass
Ellam Forman Gledd
Elliot Forrester Glen
Ellis Forsyth Gold
Elphinston Foster Good
Elshener Fotheringham Goodal
Elsinquoy Foulis Goodfellow
Elves Fowler Goodie
English Foxton Goodlad
Erskine Frame Gorat
63
Gordon Hart Hugan

Gotterson Harther Hugo
Goudie Harvey Huldie
Gourlay Hasbane Humble
Govan Hastie Hunter
Gow Hay Hutcheon
Gowan Hayman Hutcheson
Gowanlock Henderson Hutchison
Gowrie Henillis Hutton
Graham Henry Hyndman
Grant Henry's Daughter Imlay
Gray Henryson Incheot
Gray-meill Hepburn Inglis
Graycoat Herald Ingram
Green Herbertson Innes
Greenlaw Herd Ireland
Greenshields Heriot Irvine
Greg Herkertson Isaac
Grey Hermiston Isbister
Grierson Herries Izat
Grieve Herring Jack
Grinton Hewat Jackson
Groat Hewingston Jaffray
Grougie Hewison Jamieson
Guild Hill Jarvie
Guisett Hirdal Jo
Gulivatas Hislop John's Daughter
Gullan Hogg Johnson
Gulliland Hoggan Johnston
Gunn Hoggart Jollie
Guthrie Hogger Jonking
Gutter Holden Kay
Gyllor Holmes Keil
Haddock Homas Keith
Haggon Home Kello
Hairstones Honeyman Kellock
Haistie Hood Kelly
Haldane Hopkins Kelman
Haliburton Hopkirk Kelso
Halket Horn Keltie
Hall Horniman Kemp
Halliday Horsburgh Kennan
Halliwell Houston Kennedy
Hamilton Howat Kennock
Handasyde Howatson Kent
Hanna Howden Ker
Hardie Howie Kerse
Harlaw Howieson Kight
Harper Hoy Kilgour
Harris Hudson Kilpatrick
64
Kincaid Linay MacClartich

King Lindsay MacClerick
Kinglassie Linkup MacClintock
Kingo Linton MacCoel
Kininmont Lister MacConachie
Kinnaird Lithgow MacConnal
Kinneil Little MacCubbin
Kinnes Loch MacEwan
Kinsman Lochoir MacFerries
Kirk Lochtie MacGavin
Kirkland Lockart MacGhee
Kirkpatrick Lockie MacGill
Kirkton Lodge MacGillemichael
Kirkwood Logan MacGillepatrick
Knarston Logie MacGillichoan
Knox Longland MacGilliecallum
Kyle Loquhour MacGillivray
Lachlan Lorimer MacGillovary
Lacost Losk MacGilvane
Laidlaw Loudon MacGowan
Laing Love MacGrane
Laird Lovelike MacGregor
Lamb Lowes MacGuffog
Lamont Luddes MacGuire
Landrok Lumsden MacHendrie
Largizean Luney MacHolm
Lauder Lyle MacHouston
Law Lyne MacIllday
Lawrie Lyon MacIlmichael
Lawson MacAlaster MacIlna
Layland MacAlester Boyne MacIngaruch
Leach MacAlexander MacInreoch
Lear MacAllan MacIntyre
Leask MacAllexander MacIver
Leddy MacAngus MacJohn
Legat MacArthur MacKaw
Leiges MacAskie MacKay
Leike Macbeth MacKenna
Leitch MacBrown MacKennan
Lennie MacBurnie MacKenzie
Leonard MacCall MacKeoner
Leslie MacCallum MacKeraish
Letham MacCalzean MacKessak
Lewars MacCann MacKessock
Lewinston MacCartney Mackie
Leys MacCaw MacKillop
Lieshman MacChananaich MacKinlay
Lightbody MacCheriech MacKinnay
Lilburn MacCheyne MacKirdie
Lillie MacClachan MacKulkie
65
MacLae Marwick Munn

MacLean Mason Munro
MacLevin Masterton Murdoch
MacMartin Mather Murit
MacMichael Matheson Murray
MacMillan Mathie Mutch
MacMurdoch Maver Mutton
MacMurray Maxwell Myles
MacMurrich May Nacoch
Macnab Mearns Naesmith
MacNair Meek Nairn
MacNairn Meikle Napier
MacNaught Meldrum Neil
MacNeil Melrose Neilson
MacNeish Melville Neinchat
MacNicol Mercer Neville
MacNilland Merchant Newton
MacNiven Meslet Nicol
MacNoullar Methven Nicolson
MacPhail Michelson Niddrie
MacPhee Middlemas Nimmo
MacPherson Mie Nisbet
MacQueen Miller Nishie
MacQuicken Milligan Niven
MaCrae Milne Ochterlonyes
MacReadie Milton Ogg
MacRobert Minto Ogilvie
MacRory Mitchell Oisone
MacSkimming Moffat Oliphant
MacTaggart Mogersland Oliver
MacTear Monk Omnoch
MacWatt Monteith Orr
MacWilliam Montgomery Orrock
Maguate Moodie Osborne
Maillshead Mor Nin Vickeanglaish Osler
Main Morgan Oswald
Maislet Morris Owir
Maitland Morrison Page
Major Morton Paplay
Malcolm Moscrop Paris
Malcolmson Moss Parish
Man Mott Park
Manderston (Arnot) Moubray Parker
Manners Mowat Paterson
Manson Moyness Paton
Mark Mrgillie Lukell Paul
Marnoch Muir Payne
Marr Muircone Peacock
Marshall Muirhead Peaston
Martin Muirieson Peattie
66
Peebles Reid Semple

Penman Remy Sesbie
Pennant Rhind Seton
Penny Riach Seweis
Pennycook Richard Shand
Peramorris Richardson Shanks
Peterkin Richieson Shannan
Phail Riddall Sharp
Philip Ritchie Shaw
Pierson Robb Shayme
Pilmuir Robbie Shearer
Piper Robert Shedden
Pirie Robertson Shepherd
Pittendreigh Robeson Sherwood
Pogavie Robinson Shiel
Polock Rogers Shillington
Polwarth Rogie Shire
Pook Ronald Short
Pope Ronaldson Shorthouse
Porteous Ross Sibbald
Porter Rossie Simbeard
Pothif Rowan Simpson
Potter Roy Sinclair
Pratt Rudge Skair
Pride Rule Skaitson
Pringle Russel Skebister
Profet Rutherford Skene
Propter Saddler Slater
Provost Samson Sleigh
Purcell Samuel Sloan
Purdie Samuelston (Home) Small
Quarrier Sanderson Smart
Rae Sandie Smeaton
Raeburn Sandieson Smillie
Ramage Sands Smith
Ramannows Sawyer Somerville
Ramsay Saythe Souness
Randall Schailer Souter
Rank Scheil Spae Wife
Rankin Scobie Spaldarge
Rannick Scogian Spark
Rannie Scord Speed
Rass Scotland Speirs
Ratter Scott Spence
Rattray Scottie Spittal
Ray Scougal Spreull
Raymond Scrogges Sprott
Redford Scroggie Staig
Redmond Seaman Stark
Redpath Selkirk Steedman
67
Steel Thomson
Stein Thorbrand Wanton
Stenhouse Thyne Wark
Steven Todd Warrick
Stevenson Todrick Waten
Stewart Todry Waterson
Stillcart Torr Watson
Stillie Torrie Watt
Stirk Toyes Waugh
Stirt Traill Webster
Stith Traye Weir
Stobie Trotter Welch
Stoddart Trotton Well
Stonehouse Tucidie Wemyss
Stout Tullie Wenton
Stowane Tulloch West
Strachan Turnbull Wharrie
Strath Turner White
Stratton Tweedie Whitelaw
Straughan Twich Whiteman
Studgeon Udny Wick
Sturrok Umpherstoun Wikean
Summer Umphray Wilkie
Sunderland Unchach Wilkin
Supp Unes Wilkinson
Sutherland Unknown William
Sutie Ure Williamson
Swan Urich Wilson
Swinton Vallance Winster
Sydserf Vane Wishart
Syme Vass Wood
Syrie Vayne Woodrow
Tais Veitch Woodside
Tait Velene Wright
Tame Vertie Wylie
Tarbet Vikker Wynd
Task Voe Yerkin
Tasker Waddie Yester
Taylor Walden Young
Temple Walker Yourston
Thom Wallace Yrascht
Thomas' Daughter Wanderson Yule
B. Modernised/Standardised First Names
Adam Alistair Angus

Africk Allan Annabel
Agnes Amy Anne
Alexander Anabel Archibald
Alison Andrew Barbara
68
Bartie Helen Mother of Janet

Beak Henry Mother of William
Beatrice Henwife Muir
Beigis Hucheon Muriel
Bernard Hugh Neane
Bridget Husband of Elizabeth Neving
Charles Isobel Nic
Christine James Nicola
Cormule Janet Nicolas
Couper Jean Ninian
Cruddal Joan Oliver
Crystal John Patrick
Curate of Anstruther Jokkie Poile
Dame Jonka Rachel
Daughter of Agnes Julian Richard
Daughter of Alexander katherine Robert
Daughter of black Keanoch Rosina
Hugh Lachlan Samuel
David Lancelot Sarah
Dod Libra Scota
Donald Lillias Shiach
Dorothy Maal Sister of Agnes
Duncan MacColm Steven
Easter Magdalene Suna
Edward Magnus Susanna
Eldest son of Katharine Maisie Sybil
Moore Malcolm Thomas
Elizabeth Malie Tibbie
Ellen Margaret Unknown
Eric Marion Violet
Euphemia Marjory Walter
Fillie Marshal Wife of
Finwell Martha Wife of Alexander
Florence Mary Wife of Archibald
Francis Marybel Wife of Archie
Fritte Mathew wife of George
Gavin Maud Wife of Henry
George Meslie Wife of James
Gideon Michael Wife of John
Gilbert Mid most wife of Nicoll
Giles Miriam Wife of Poile
Gillian Moira Wife of Soirle
Gormyle Molly Wife of Thomas
Gradoch Molphrie Wife of Walter
Gredoch More Nain Duy Wife of William
Gretchach Mother of William
Griselda Mother of Christine
Hector Mother of David
C. Parish List – SSW list of parishes from the 17th Century

69
Abbey St Bathans Auchterarder

Abdie Auchterderran
Abercorn Auchtergaven
Aberdalgie Auchterhouse
Aberdeen Auchterless
Aberdour Auchtermuchty
Aberfoyle Auchtertool
Aberlady Auldearn
Aberlemno Avoch
Aberlour Avondale
Abernethy Ayr
Abernethy and Kincardine Ayton
Abernyte Baldernock
Aboyne and Glen Tanar Balfron
Airlie Ballantrae
Airth Ballingry
Alford Balmaclellan
Alloa Balmaghie
Alness Balmerino
Alva Balquhidder
Alvah Banchory-Devenick
Alves Banchory-Ternan
Alvie Banff
Alyth Barr
Ancrum Barra
Annan Barry
Anstruther Easter Barvas
Anstruther Wester Bathgate
Anwoth Beath
Applecross Bedrule
Applegarth Beith
Arbirlot Belhelvie
Arbroath and St Vigeans Bellie
Arbuthnott Bendochy
Ardchattan and Muckairn Benholm
Ardclach Bervie
Ardersier Biggar
Ardgour Birnie
Ardnamurchan Birsay and Harray
Ardoch Birse
Ardrossan Blackford
Arisaig and Moidart Blair Atholl
Arngask Blairgowrie
Arrochar Blantyre
Ashkirk Bo'ness and Carriden
Assynt Boharm
Athelstaneford Boleskine and Abertarff
Auchindoir and Kearn Bolton
Auchinleck Bonhill
70
Borgue Chirnside
Borthwick Clackmannan
Bothwell Clatt
Botriphnie Cleish
Bourtie Closeburn
Bowden Clunie
Bower Cluny
Boyndie Clyne
Bracadale Cockburnspath
Brechin Cockpen
Bressay Coldingham
Broughton Glenholm & Kilbucho Coldstream
Buchanan Coll
Buittle Collace
Bunkle and Preston Collessie
Burntisland Colmonell
Cabrach Colonsay and Oronsay
Cadder Colvend and Southwick
Caddonfoot Comrie
Caerlaverock Contin
Cairnie Cortachy and Clova
Callander Coull
Cambuslang Coupar Angus
Cambusnethan Covington
Cameron Coylton
Campbeltown Craig
Campsie Craigie
Canisbay Craignish
Canonbie Crail
Caputh Crailing
Cardross Cramond
Careston Cranshaws
Cargill Cranston
Carluke Crathie and Braemar
Carmichael Crawford
Carmunnock Crawfordjohn
Carmyllie Creich
Carnbee Crichton
Carnock Crieff
Carnwath Crimond
Carrington Cromarty
Carsphairn Cromdale Inverallan & Advie
Carstairs Cross and Burness
Castleton Crossmichael
Cathcart Croy and Dalcross
Cavers Cruden
Cawdor Cullen
Ceres Culross
Channelkirk Culsalmond
Chapel of Garioch Culter
71
Cults Dundee Combination

Cumbernauld Dundonald
Cumbrae Dunfermline
Cummertrees Dunino
Cupar Dunipace
Currie Dunkeld and Dowally
Dailly Dunlop
Dairsie Dunnet
Dalgety Dunnichen
Dalkeith Dunning
Dallas Dunnottar
Dalmellington Dunoon and Kilmun
Dalmeny Dunrossness
Dalry Duns
Dalrymple Dunscore
Dalserf Dunsyre
Dalton Durisdeer
Dalziel Durness
Daviot Durris
Daviot and Dunlichity Duthil and Rothiemurchus
Delting Dyce
Denny Dyke and Moy
Deskford Eaglesham
Dingwall Earlston
Dirleton Eassie and Nevay
Dollar East Kilbride
Dolphinton Eastwood
Dores Eccles
Dornoch Ecclesmachan
Dornock Echt
Douglas Eckford
Drainie Eday
Dreghorn Edderton
Dron Eddleston
Drumblade Eddrachillis
Drumelzier Edinburgh
Drumoak Edinkillie
Dryfesdale Ednam
Drymen Edrom
Duffus Edzell
Duirinish Elgin
Dull Elie
Dumbarton Ellon
Dumfries Errol
Dun Erskine
Dunbar Eskdalemuir
Dunbarney Ettrick
Dunblane and Lecropt Evie and Rendall
Dunbog Ewes
Dundee Eyemouth
72
Fala and Soutra Glass

Falkirk Glassary
Falkland Glasserton
Farnell Glassford
Farr Glenbervie
Fearn Glenbuchat
Fenwick Glencairn
Fern Glencorse
Ferry Port on Craig Glendevon
Fetlar Glenelg
Fettercairn Glenisla
Fetteresso Glenmuick Tullich & Glengairn
Findo Gask Glenorchy and Inishail
Fintray Glenshiel
Fintry Golspie
Firth Gordon
Flisk Govan
Fodderty Grange
Fogo Grangemouth
Fordoun Greenlaw
Fordyce Greenock
Forfar Gretna
Forgan Guthrie
Forgandenny Haddington
Forglen Half Morton
Forgue Halkirk
Forres Hamilton
Forteviot Harris
Fortingall Hawick
Fossoway Heriot
Foulden Hobkirk
Foveran Hoddom
Fowlis Easter Holm
Fowlis Wester Holywood
Fraserburgh Houston and Killellan
Fyvie Hownam
Gairloch Hoy and Graemsay
Galashiels Humbie
Galston Hume
Gamrie Huntly
Gargunnock Hutton
Gartly Hutton and Corrie
Garvald and Bara Inch
Garvock Inchinnan
Gigha and Cara Inchture
Girthon Innerleithen
Girvan Innerwick
Gladsmuir Insch
Glamis Inveraray
Glasgow Inverarity
73
Inveravon Kilmaronock
Inverchaolain Kilmartin
Inveresk Kilmaurs
Inverkeilor Kilmodan
Inverkeithing Kilmonivaig
Inverkeithny Kilmorack
Inverkip Kilmore and Kilbride
Inverness and Bona Kilmory
Inverurie Kilmuir
Irvine Kilmuir Easter
Jedburgh Kilninian and Kilmore
Johnstone Kilninver and Kilmelfort
Jura Kilrenny
Keig Kilspindie
Keir Kilsyth
Keith Kiltarlity and Convinth
Keithhall and Kinkell Kiltearn
Kells Kilwinning
Kelso Kincardine
Kelton Kincardine O'Neil
Kemback Kinclaven
Kemnay Kinellar
Kenmore Kinfauns
Kennethmont King Edward
Kennoway Kingarth
Kettins Kinghorn
Kettle Kinglassie
Kilbarchan Kingoldrum
Kilbirnie Kingsbarns
Kilbrandon and Kilchattan Kingussie and Insh
Kilbride Kinloch
Kilcalmonell Kinloss
Kilchoman Kinnaird
Kilchrenan and Dalavich Kinneff and Catterline
Kilconquhar Kinnell
Kildalton Kinnettles
Kildonan Kinnoull
Kildrummy Kinross
Kilfinan Kintail
Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon Kintore
Killarow and Kilmeny Kippen
Killean and Kilchenzie Kirkbean
Killearn Kirkcaldy and Dysart
Killearnan Kirkcolm
Killin Kirkconnel
Kilmacolm Kirkcowan
Kilmadock Kirkcudbright
Kilmallie Kirkden
Kilmany Kirkgunzeon
Kilmarnock Kirkhill
74
Kirkhope Little Dunkeld

Kirkinner Livingston
Kirkintilloch Lochalsh
Kirkliston Lochbroom
Kirkmabreck Lochcarron
Kirkmahoe Lochgoilhead and Kilmorich
Kirkmaiden Lochlee
Kirkmichael Lochmaben
Kirknewton Lochrutton
Kirkoswald Lochs
Kirkpatrick Durham Lochwinnoch
Kirkpatrick Irongray Logie
Kirkpatrick-Fleming Logie Buchan
Kirkpatrick-Juxta Logie Easter
Kirkurd Logie Pert
Kirkwall and St Ola Logie-Coldstone
Kirriemuir Logiealmond
Knockando Logierait
Knockbain Longforgan
Lady Longformacus
Ladykirk Longside
Laggan Lonmay
Lairg Loth
Lamington and Wandel Loudoun
Lanark Lumphanan
Langholm Lunan
Langton Lundie
Larbert Luss
Largo Lyne
Largs Madderty
Lasswade Mains and Strathmartine
Latheron Makerstoun
Lauder Manor
Laurencekirk Markinch
Legerwood Marnoch
Leochel-Cushnie Maryculter
Lerwick Marykirk
Leslie Maryton
Lesmahagow Mauchline
Leswalt Maxton
Lethendy Maybole
Lethnot and Navar Mearns
Leuchars Meigle
Libberton Meldrum
Liff and Benvie Melrose
Lilliesleaf Menmuir
Linlithgow Mertoun
Linton Methlick
Lintrathen Methven
Lismore and Appin Mid Calder
75
Middlebie North Bute

Midmar North Knapdale
Minnigaff North Uist
Minto Northmaven
Mochrum Oathlaw
Moffat Ochiltree
Moneydie Old Cumnock
Monifieth Old Deer
Monikie Old Kilpatrick
Monimail Old Luce
Monkton and Prestwick Old Machar
Monquhitter Old Monkland
Montrose Oldhamstocks
Monymusk Olrig
Monzievaird and Strowan Ordiquhill
Moonzie Ormiston
Mordington Orphir
Morebattle Orwell
Morham Oxnam
Mortlach Oyne
Morton Paisley
Morvern Panbride
Moulin Papa Westray
Mouswald Parton
Moy and Dalarossie Peebles
Muckhart Pencaitland
Muiravonside Penicuik
Muirkirk Penninghame
Murroes Penpont
Muthill Perth
Nairn Peterculter
Neilston Peterhead
Nenthorn Pettinain
Nesting Petty
New Abbey Pitsligo
New Cumnock Pittenweem
New Deer Polwarth
New Kilpatrick Port Glasgow
New Luce Port Of Menteith
New Machar Portmoak
New Monkland Portpatrick
Newbattle Portree
Newburgh Premnay
Newburn Prestonkirk
Newhills Prestonpans
Newlands Rafford
Newton Rathen
Newtyle Ratho
Nigg Rathven
North Berwick Rattray
76
Rayne Speymouth
Reay Spott
Redgorton Sprouston
Renfrew Spynie
Rerrick St Andrews and Deerness
Rescobie St Andrews and St Leonards
Resolis St Andrews-Lhanbryd
Rhu St Boswells
Rhynd St Cyrus
Rhynie St Fergus
Riccarton St Madoes
Roberton St Martins
Rogart St Monance
Rosemarkie St Mungo
Rosneath St Ninians
Rosskeen Stair
Rothes Stenness
Rothesay Stenton
Rothiemay Stevenston
Rousay and Egilsay Stewarton
Roxburgh Stichill
Rutherglen Stirling
Ruthven Stobo
Ruthwell Stonehouse
Saddell and Skipness Stoneykirk
Saline Stornoway
Saltoun Stow
Sandsting Stracathro
Sandwick Strachan
Sanquhar Strachur
Scone Straiton
Scoonie Stranraer
Selkirk Strath
Shapinsay Strathblane
Shotts Strathdon
Skene Strathlachlan
Skirling Strathmiglo
Slains Strichen
Slamannan Stromness
Sleat Stronsay
Smailholm Swinton
Small Isles Symington
Snizort Tain
Sorbie Tannadice
Sorn Tarbat
South Knapdale Tarbolton
South Ronaldsay Tarland
South Uist Tarves
Southdean Tealing
Southend Temple
77
Terregles Twynholm
Teviothead Tynron
Thurso Tyrie
Tibbermore Udny
Tillicoultry Uig
Tingwall Unst
Tinwald Uphall
Tiree Urquhart
Tongland Urquhart and Glenmoriston
Tongue Urquhart and Logie Wester
Torosay Urr
Torphichen Urray
Torryburn Walls and Flotta
Torthorwald Walls and Sandness
Tough Walston
Towie Wamphray
Tranent Watten
Traquair Weem
Trinity Gask Wemyss
Troqueer West Calder
Tulliallan West Kilbride
Tullynessle and Forbes West Linton
Tundergarth Westerkirk
Turriff Westray
Tweedsmuir Westruther
Whitburn Wiston and Roberton
Whitekirk and Tyninghame Yarrow
Whithorn Yell
Whitsome Yester
Whittingehame Yetholm
Wick
Wigtown
C. Burgh List - Royal burghs in 1707
Aberdeen Culross Falkland

Annan Cupar Forfar
Anstruther Easter Dingwall Forres
Anstruther Wester Dornoch Fortrose
Arbroath Dumbarton Glasgow
Auchtermuchty Dumfries Haddington
Ayr Dunbar Inveraray
Banff Dundee Inverbervie
Brechin Dunfermline Inverkeithing
Burntisland Dysart Inverness
Campbeltown Earlsferry Inverurie
Crail Edinburgh Irvine
Cullen Elgin Jedburgh
78
Kilrenny Nairn Sanquhar

Kinghorn New Galloway Selkirk
Kintore Newburgh St Andrews
Kirkcaldy North Berwick Stirling
Kirkcudbright Peebles Stranraer
Kirkwall Perth Tain
Lanark Pittenweem Whithorn
Lauder Queensferry Wick
Linlithgow Renfrew Wigtown
Lochmaben Rothesay
Montrose Rutherglen
E. Presbytery List - presbyteries used in the database
Aberdeen Earlston Lanark

Arbroath Edinburgh Lerwick
Auchterarder Elgin Lewis
Ayr Ellon Linlithgow
Banff Falkirk Lochmaben
Biggar Fordoun Meigle
Brechin Fordyce Nairn
Cairston Forfar North Isles
Caithness Forres Paisley
Chanonry Garioch Peebles
Chirnside Glasgow Penpoint
Cupar Greenock Perth
Dalkeith Haddington Renfrew
Deer Hamilton Scalloway
Dingwall Inveraray Selkirk
Dornoch Inverness Shetland
Dumfries Irvine Skye
Dunbar Jedburgh St Andrews
Dunbarton Kelso Stirling
Dunblane Kincardine O'Neil Stranraer
Dundee Kinross Strathbogie
Dunfermline Kintyre Tain
Dunkeld Kirkcaldy Turriff
Dunoon Kirkcudbright Wigtown
Duns Kirkwall
F. Counties List – Counties in the Database
Aberdeen Bute Dunbarton

Argyll Caithness Edinburgh
Ayr Clackmannan Elgin
Banff Cromarty Fife
Berwick Dumfries Forfar
79
Haddington Nairn Selkirk

Inverness Orkney Shetland
Kincardine Peebles Stirling
Kinross Perth Sutherland
Kirkcudbright Renfrew Wigtown
Lanark Ross
Linlithgow Roxburgh
G. Copyright and Citation Protocol
Authorship and Copyright
The website and database were created by Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce
Miller and Louise Yeoman, with financial support from the Economic and Social
Research Council.
The website and database and all of their contents are the copyright of the University
of Edinburgh and reproduction is only permitted in accordance with the following
terms:
You may view the database and download it to file or print for the purposes of private
reference, research or study. You may not (a) store it or print out copies of it (or any
part of it) other than for the purposes set out in this paragraph; or (b) reproduce, copy
or transmit it (or any part of it) in any other way for any purpose or in any other
medium, without our prior written permission.
How to cite the Survey
The project provides free access to the data contained in the Survey of Scottish
Witchcraft database either via the online web interface or from the downloaded full
database. Regardless of how you access our data, the data itself and the database
structure remains under copyright to the authors and the University of Edingburgh.
This requires that full citation of the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft be given for any
use of the data leading to a publication. This includes information generated using
our online web tools, use of information provided in the database, the information
generated from queries produced using the database, and references collected from the
database. Please use your normal citation conventions for websites. We suggest:
Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, ‘The Survey
of Scottish Witchcraft’, www.arts.ed.ac.uk/witches/ (archived January 2003,
accessed ‘[your date]’).
If you use the database to run a query of your own design, you must cite your use of
the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft. You need only reference use of the data. The
query design itself is your own creation.

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1

Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

Contents of this Document

I. Database Description (pp. 2-14)

II. List of tables and fields (pp. 15-29)

III. Data Value Descriptions (pp. 30-41)

IV. Database Provenance (pp. 42-54)

V. Methodology (pp. 55-58)

VI. Appendices (pp. 59-78)

A. DESCRIPTION (in text form)

DESCRIPTION OF SURVEY OF SCOTTISH WITCHCRAFT DATABASE

 Mentioned Witch - This refers to an accused witch who was mentioned or

 Redefined Fields – A ‘Redefined Field’ is a field that has an incorrect or slightly

 Subjective Fields – A ‘Subjective Field’ is one that we have determined should

 One-to-many Relationship – Some of the tables (and groups of tables) in the

DATABASE LAYOUT AND DESIGN

Survey of Scottish Witchcraft

People Beings/Meetings Disease/Damage Characterisation

Trial Process Folk Culture Other Charges/Defence References

Trial Process References

‘Accused’ Description – Level One

This level contains the following tables: ‘WDB_Accused’ and

‘Case’ Description – Level Two

The tables included in the ‘Case level’ include: ‘WDB_Case’,

‘Trial Process’ – Level Three (a)

‘References’ – Level Three (b)

The tables included in this level are: ‘WDB_Reference’ and ‘WDB_Source’.

B. DATABASE FIELD TYPES

DEAD FIELDS TYPES BY TABLE

REDEFINED FIELDS BY TABLE

‘WDB_DevilAppearance’ Should be non-natural Being Appearance

SUBJECTIVE FIELDS BY TABLE

TRACKING FIELDS BY TABLE

Every Table in the database

C. MISCELLANEOUS DATABASE INFORMATION

DATA THAT HAS NOT BEEN NORMALISED

SURNAME AND FIRST NAME MODERNISATION AND STANDARISATION

RESIDENCE (SETTLEMENT, PARISH, BURGH, PRESBYTERY, COUNTY)

PEOPLE INVOLVED IN A CASE

II. LIST OF TABLES AND FIELDS

Lastupdatedby Character(50) Name of person who last updated the record

UNorthodoxRelPract_p Yes/No Unorthodox religious practice as primary

to stand in for a person) was alleged

PersonRef Character(20) Person ID

Confessiondate Character(50) Date of confession

Column Data Type Description

CaseRef Character(20) Local identifier for case

Createdby Character(50) Name of person who created this record

PersonID Long Integer Initials of creator

DraftDittay Yes/No Draft dittay

Details Character(50) Details

Actiondropdate_as_date Date Action dropped on as date

Createdby Character(50) Name of person who created this record

III. DATA VALUE DEFINITIONS

SSW Database – fields with fixed data lists

[Field name is in bold, data value definitions follow]

CounterStrategy_Type – A counter-strategy is a technique used to either repel magic

Elfshot: prehistoric arrowhead thought to be used by fairies/witches to cause harm,

Motif_Type - refers to a motif associated with unorthodox religious practices. By