Mauld Gauld's story begins in the bustling streets of Briggait, Paisley, in the county of Renfrew where she lived with her husband, a skilled wright. As a member of the middling socioeconomic class, Mauld's daily life would have been one of diligence and modest comfort, yet all of this was disrupted by accusations of witchcraft that emerged around the autumn of 1649. The initial depositions against her were taken in Kilbarchane, indicating the gravity and spread of the allegations she faced.
Her entanglement with the witch trials perhaps tragically illustrates the complex interplay between religion and societal fears of the supernatural during the period. Evidence points to a significant role played by the Church in instigating her trial, as the series of denunciations were notably spearheaded by religious bodies. The first recorded denunciation took place on August 27, 1649, during a kirk session, followed by further denunciations involving a visiting minister on September 14, 1649, and the presbytery of Glasgow on October 15 of the same year.
In addition to spiritual reckonings, tangible claims of property damage were leveled against her, specifically the spoiling of ale. This particular accusation reflects material concerns that often accompanied witch trial proceedings, where unexplained misfortunes were sometimes attributed to the malevolent influence of an accused witch. Mauld Gauld's case encapsulates the turbulent intersection of communal tensions, religious zealotry, and the fragile fortunes of everyday life in 17th century Scotland.