Laing,Betty (Beatrix)
Case Reference: C/EGD/831
Case Summary
| Case Ref | C/EGD/831 |
|---|---|
| Accused | Betty (Beatrix) Laing |
| Case Start Date | 13/6/1704 |
| Case Date | 20/5/1709 |
| Common Name | Laing,Betty (Beatrix) |
|---|
Characterization
| Type | Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|---|
| Demonic | — | ✓ |
| Demonic Possession | — | ✓ |
| Maleficium | — | ✓ |
| Not Enough Info | ✓ | ✓ |
Notes: accused of using malefices on a smith.
Denied she made pact but did say she had gone with the devil and that she had renounced her baptism. Said the devil could change shape.
| Type | Text |
|---|---|
| Anti-baptism |
Devil Appearances
| Type | Text |
|---|---|
| Animal Devil | black dog |
| Elphane/Fairyland | — |
|---|---|
| Food/Drink | — |
| Verbal Formulae | — |
| Ritual Acts | ✓ |
| Familiars | — |
| Shape Changing | — |
|---|---|
| Dreams/Visions | — |
| Unorthodox Religious Practice | — |
| Sympathetic Magic | — |
| Riding Dead | — |
Notes: Denied that she had used a wax image but said she had used water and coals to harm Morton.
Ritual Objects
- Water
- Coal
| Name | Title | Involvement | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| James Clerk | Investigator | ||
| Patrick Cooper | Mr | Investigator | |
| John Falconer | Investigator | ||
| John Matheson | Investigator | ||
| William Wadropen | Mr | Investigator |
| Source | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Process Notes | JC26/86 f. 228, 245 | f. 228 sheet says 'execution against the persons that are cited by John mathison sherrif mair in the parish of St. Andrews' f. 245 bond of caution |
| St Andrews Presbytery records | CH2/1131/ 1699-1705, pp 293- | The presbytery volume has no NAS catalogue number yet. |
| Process Notes | JC26/88 f. 346 | arrest warrant |
| Porteous Rolls | JC26/88 f. 346 | |
| Privy Council | PC1/53 p. 247-9 | |
| Privy Council | PC1/53 p. 399, 426 | To investigate the whole goings on in the town of Pittenweem regarding witches and witchcraft. |
Trials (3)
Case Notes
One of a group of women accused of tormenting a young lad, Patrick Morton. This is another possession case. A group of seven people were charged with causing the tormenting of Patrick Morton, the sixteen year old son of a smith in Pittenweem. The town officials cite the precedent of 'Bargarrans daughter in the west' when applying for a commission for trial. The Privy Council appointed Her Majesty's Advocate, Sir James Stewart to prosecute the cases and the Privy Council said they would pay for it from the treasury.