Cockie,Isobel

Case Reference: C/EGD/2119

Case Summary
Case RefC/EGD/2119
AccusedIsobel Cockie
Case Start Date2/2/1597
Case Date19/2/1597
Age at Case65
Common NameCockie,Isobel
Characterization
TypePrimarySecondary
Demonic
Fairies
Folk Healing
Maleficium
Implicated by Another
Neighbourhood Dispute
White Magic

Notes: Numerous accusations, most about malefice after disputes, but also named by Janet Wischart and Helen Makkie. Was also getting paid for healing.

Elphane/Fairyland
Food/Drink
Verbal Formulae
Ritual Acts
Familiars
Shape Changing
Dreams/Visions
Unorthodox Religious Practice
Sympathetic Magic
Riding Dead

Notes: Accused of casting 'cantryps' between a victim's doors after which he took ill. Accused of having left a many coloured cloth at a neighbour's house. When she burnt it (fearing it was witchcraft) the fire cracked and they thought the house would fall. Said to one man 'I shall gar thee forthinkit that thow hev territ my howss, I being fra ham' - he then took ill. Met at twelve midnight. Gave a man a drink of herbs, butter and saifroun (saffron?), which he was to drink 3 times. Also wrapped a knotted green thread about his body and oxsters, then put it in the fire. Another thread was left round his waist and if it broke or not to put it in the fire. Told a woman to go to south running water to wash him. She was paid 20 shillings and half a firlot of meal for this.

Elf/Fairy Elements
  • 12:00
  • Green
Ritual Objects
  • Cloth
  • Thread
  • Herb
  • Fire
  • Water

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: Accused of causing a neighbour's milk to fail to churn. Accused of casting an illnes onto a neighbour after he and her husband fell out over the ownership of a house. Gave a man a drink with herbs, butter and saffron and a knotted green thread

Other Maleficia Notes: Ruined milk products. Spoiled a mill. Caused a neighbour to be ruined and spoiled another's crops.

Property Damage Types
  • Dairy
  • Mill
  • Whole Estate
  • Crops
White Magic
  • Prophesy

  • Fastings eve
  • Halloween

TypeText
Unspecifiedmouth instrument

NameTitleInvolvementNotes
Alexander Jaffry Prosecutorbaillie of Aberdeen
Alexander Rutherford Prosecutorprovost of Aberdeen

SourceReferenceNotes
Spalding Club MiscellanyVol I, pp. 84, 111-116.
Spalding Club MiscellanyVol V, p 65.Lists of expenses for execution.
Spalding Club MiscellanyVol I, preface, p. 52.
Trials (2)
Trial RefDateYearVerdictSentenceExecution
T/JO/74 No
T/JO/1293 19/2/15971597 GuiltyExecution Yes