Coke,William

Case Reference: C/EGD/2259

Case Summary
Case RefC/EGD/2259
AccusedWilliam Coke
Case Start Date17/10/1633
Case Date17/12/1633
Age at Case50
Common NameCoke,William
Characterisation
TypePrimarySecondary
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

NameTitleInvolvementNotes
David Brown of FynmouthCommissioner
James Clerk of BalbirnieCommissioner
George Hamilton of BlackburnCommissioner
William Nairn MrMinisterminister of Dysart was sent to observe the assize at Kirkcaldy but not named
James Simpson MrMinister
William Spittal MrMinisterminister of Dysart was sent to observe the assize at Kirkcaldy but not named

SourceReferenceNotes
Kirkcaldy Presbytery recordsCH2/224/1, 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 recordsCH2/636/34.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 CommissionsAdv. MA 31.3.10, fo. 64v.
Trials (1)
Trial RefDateYearVerdictSentenceExecution
T/JO/1180 15/11/16331633 GuiltyExecution Yes