Stewart,John
Case Reference: C/EGD/126
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/EGD/126 |
|---|---|
| Accused | John Stewart |
| Case Start Date | 24/6/1596 |
| Case Date | 24/6/1596 |
| Common Name | Stewart,John |
|---|
Characterisation
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Political Motive | — | ✓ |
Notes: He was accused of murdering his brother the Earl of Orkney by hiring Aleson Balfour. The High Court index has him charged with 'consulting a witch'.
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 | — |
- Treason
- Poisoning
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Books of Adjournal | JC2/3 fo. 41-47 | Also listed in the High Court Record Index, no. 1 for 24/6/1596 |
| Pitcairn | v I, part ii, page 373-377 | same text as JC2/3 |
| Process Notes | JC26/3 |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/JO/882 | 24/6/1596 | 1596 | Not Guilty | No |
Case Notes
This is a typical dynastic struggle case where a witch was hired as one attempt of many to kill a rival claimant. In this case it was his brother, and many others were accused of working with him to kill Patrick Earl of Orkney.