Coke,William
Case Reference: C/EGD/2259
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/EGD/2259 |
|---|---|
| Accused | William Coke |
| Case Start Date | 17/10/1633 |
| Case Date | 17/12/1633 |
| Age at Case | 50 |
| Common Name | Coke,William |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Implicated by Another | — | ✓ |
| Not Enough Info | ✓ | ✓ |
Notes: Husband and wife accused each other.
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 by his wife of trying to cause boats to sink.
Property Damage Types
- Boats
Weather Modification Types
- Storm
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Brown | of Fynmouth | Commissioner | |
| James Clerk | of Balbirnie | Commissioner | |
| George Hamilton | of Blackburn | Commissioner | |
| William Nairn | Mr | Minister | minister of Dysart was sent to observe the assize at Kirkcaldy but not named |
| James Simpson | Mr | Minister | |
| William Spittal | Mr | Minister | minister of Dysart was sent to observe the assize at Kirkcaldy but not named |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kirkcaldy Presbytery records | CH2/224/1, f 55v, r. | See also D Wesbster 'Tracts on Witchcraft' Edinburgh, 1820, p. 113-124. See also Simpkins 'County Folk Lore Vol VII, Fife, Clackmannan and Kinross'. The project did not check Larner's reference to these printed secondary sources as part of the research. |
| Kirkcaldy Old Kirk Session records | CH2/636/34. | Entry for the accounts/costs of execution, dated 17/12/1633. It lists the costs spent by the church bringing men to try the accused, for purchasing the commisison (£9 3s), for the coal and for making waistcoats for them ('for harden to be jups to them'). It also notes that the town's expenses were for the barrels, ropes, the executioner and his expenses. |
| Privy Council Register of Commissions | Adv. MA 31.3.10, fo. 64v. |
Trials (1)
| Trial Ref | Date | Year | Verdict | Sentence | Execution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T/JO/1180 | 15/11/1633 | 1633 | Guilty | Execution | Yes |