In the tumultuous period of the Scottish witch trials, Geills Chartes of Newbattle, Edinburgh, found herself ensnared within the web of fear and suspicion that characterized the era. The historical records pertaining to her case begin in the summer of 1661, a time when accusations of witchcraft were rampant. On June 23rd of that year, a denunciation against Geills was officially recorded, having been heard by the Kirk Session, the ecclesiastical court that often acted as a catalyst for witchcraft trials during this period. Among the charges laid against her was the grave accusation of having entered into a demonic pact, a serious allegation that carried with it the potential for severe punishment.
Following this denunciation, Geills Chartes faced the court multiple times, as indicated by two separate trials recorded under the entries T/JO/1663 and T/JO/2230. While the details of the proceedings are sparse, the trials suggest an ongoing legal struggle that would have influenced not only Geills' personal life but also her standing within the community of Newbattle. Property damage, specifically involving animals, was alleged against her, a common type of accusation that sought to link supposed witchcraft with tangible harm or misfortune experienced by others. Such accusations were not unusual during this period, as unexplained sickness or death among livestock often fueled suspicions of maleficent interference.
As an individual embroiled in a witch trial, Geills Chartes' story is emblematic of the broader societal tensions and superstitions of 17th-century Scotland. Her accusations reflect the deeply ingrained fears of diabolical influence that underpinned much of the era's witch-hunting fervor. Though the records provide limited insight into the outcome of her trials or her ultimate fate, Geills' case remains a poignant testament to the precarious nature of life during the witch trials, where accusations could lead one's life to hang in the balance, suspended between the whispered fears of the community and the austere judgments of the court.