Burges,Margaret
Case Reference: C/EGD/1058
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/EGD/1058 |
|---|---|
| Accused | Margaret Burges |
| Case Start Date | 25/11/1628 |
| Case Date | 27/1/1629 |
| Age at Case | 50 |
| Common Name | Burges,Margaret |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Demonic | — | ✓ |
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Implicated by Another | — | ✓ |
| Neighbourhood Dispute | ✓ | ✓ |
Notes: The main accusations against her involved fall out from work, cloth, rent payment, debt, etc. Her thirteen year old female servant was questioned about whether or not Margaret had kissed her. She said yes, many times and she had kissed back. Not sure exactly what was meant by this line of questioning? The investigation and trial resulted from a backfire of Margaret's attempt to clear her name of witchcraft with slander litigation. The kirk session hearing the case decided there was enough evidence to petition the privy council for a commission of justiciary. She was also implicated, on 3 October 1628, by Elspeth Baird, burnt for witchcraft in Leith.
| Type | Text |
|---|---|
| Devil's Mark | Leg |
Harm
| Human Illness | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Human Death | — |
| Animal Illness | ✓ |
| Animal Death | ✓ |
| Female Infertility | — |
| Male Impotence | — |
Methods
| Aggravating Disease | — |
|---|---|
| Transferring Disease | — |
| Laying On | — |
| Quarreling | ✓ |
| Cursing | ✓ |
| Poisoning | — |
Healing / Other
| Removal of Bewitchment | — |
|---|---|
| Recognised Healer | — |
| Healing Humans | — |
| Healing Animals | — |
| Midwifery | — |
| Property Damage | — |
| Weather Modification | — |
Disease Notes: These were in revenge for quarrels.
- Business interactions
- Revenge for being called a witch
- Easter
- Lammas
- Whitsunday
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| William Adamson | of Craignooke | Commissioner | |
| John Auchenleck | Lord of Balmanno | Commissioner | |
| James Balfour | Investigator | ||
| Michael Crainstorm | Mr | Investigator | |
| John Oliphant | Mr | Commissioner | |
| David Prymrois | Mr | Commissioner |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RPC | 2nd S, v2 p. 494 | |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 item 11 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Witness statements |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 items 1, 9, 10x 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Dittay some more formal than others. |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 item 3, 4x, 5x, 8, 12 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Trial transcripts, list of assize and verdict. |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 item 2x 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Witness statement |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 item 6 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Commission |
| Process Notes | JC26/9 item 7 'Margaret Burges bundle' | Process papers - summons for the assize |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/LA/602 | 27/1/1629 | 1629 | Guilty | Execution | Yes |
Case Notes
A funny note: Margaret claimed that her lease had been eaten by a dog. Her case seems to have resulted from a backfire from Margaret's pursuit of a slander case after she had been called a witch. The Kirk session of Cramond was convinced by the evidence of the defendants (i.e. the 'slanderers'), and decided to apply for a commission of justiciary from the Privy Council, which they received.