Trial T/LA/104

Trial Summary
Trial RefT/LA/104
CaseBathgate,Elizabeth
AccusedElizabeth Bathgate
Trial Date4/6/1634
Location
SettlementEdinburgh
Outcome
VerdictNot Guilty
DefenceYes
High StatusYes
Female Accusers4
Male Accusers11
Pre-Trial
ArrestYes
Confronting SuspectsYes

Notes: She and her husband complained two times to PC, 1st about her false imprisonment, and then protesting her trial postponement and petitioning for her release from prison pending trial. She wanted an order to remain in Edinburgh (which was granted). Claimed financial hardship of maintaining her in prison. Her third complaint was that witness depositions taken outwith her presence, and not in a court of justice, were going to be offfered into evidence in her trial. The statements were disalllowed unless the deponers came to Edinburgh to ratify them.

DatePrisonLocationFate in Prison
11/2/1634TolboothEdinburghFree on bail
11/3/1634TolboothEdinburgh
9/1/1634TolboothDuns

DateBodyTypeSeal
9/1/1634Privy CouncilJusticiary

Order a central justiciary trial

DateTypeWhere LodgedWitch Pricker
27/2/1634Suspect'sPrivy Council
16/12/1633Suspect'sPrivy Council
9/1/1634Suspect'sPrivy Council
11/2/1634Suspect'sPrivy Council

NameMention TypeTrial OfDate
Elspeth Wilson Accomplice T/LA/133
Agnes Wilson Accomplice T/LA/134
Alison Wilson Accomplice T/LA/136
Margaret Ballame (Baleny) Accomplice T/LA/151
Janet Liddel Accomplice T/LA/152
Agnes Falconer Accomplice T/LA/139
Janet Williamson Accomplice T/LA/141
Cristiane Wilsoune Known Witch T/LA/143
William Mearns Known Witch T/LA/148
Patrick Smith Known Witch T/LA/150

NameTitleInvolvementWitch Pricker
Robert Burnet Mr Defence advocate
George Home Mr Expert Witness
Patrick Home Sir of Ayton Prosecutor
John Home Mr Prosecutor
Mark Home Chancellor
John Home Mr Expert Witness
Thomas Hope Sir (younger) of Craighall Prosecutor
Thomas Hope Sir of Craighall Prosecutor
Christopher Knowes Mr Expert Witness
Laurence MacGill Mr Defence advocate
John Oliphant Mr Prosecutor
Alexander Pae Defence
David Prymrois Mr Defence advocate
John Ramsay Sir of Edington Prosecutor
Isobel Young Witchcraft precedent
Trial Notes
11/2/1634-continuance for trial due to bad weather, witnesses and assize could not get to Edinburgh for the trial. 11/3/1634 the defence asked for a continuance because they hadn't yet seen the dittay. More strict adherence to rules of evidence than normal. Very detailed defence pleadings