Go back to Beginning

Go back to January 1591

?6 June 1591 James reproached over Barbara Napier  Mr Johne Davidsone said likewise, in the morning doctrine, that it appeared by the evill successe he had in executioun of justice, so farre, that he had not power over a carline witche, naming Barbara Naper; that he and his counsell were not assisted by God, and that, because he had not repented sufficiently for his former sinnes. (Calderwood  vol.V p.130)

7 June 1591 Wilful Error on Assize .. on 15 December last in the presence of Barbara Napier and Effie McCalzane .. and Johnne Fiene "quha said to Gelie, that he wald ga West to his fader...

7 June 1591 King James' speech to accused jurors  "For witchcraft, which is a thing growen very common amongst us, I know it to be a most abhominable sinne, and I have bene occupied these three quarters of this yeere for the siftyng out of them that are guylty heerein. We are taught by the lawes both of God and men that this synne is most odious, and by Godes law punishable by death: by man's lawe it is called maleficium or venificium, an ill deede or a poysonable deede, and punishable likewise by death. Now yf it be death being practised against any of the people, I must needes thinke it to be - at least - the like yf it be agaynst the King [...] As for them who thinke these witchcraftes to be but fantacyes, I remmyt them to be catechised and instructed in these most evident poyntes. [... persona intervention] because I see the pride of these witches and their freendes, which can not be prevented but by myne owne presence. And for these witches, whatsoever hath bene gotten from them hath bene done by me my selfe; not because I was moe wise then others, but because I was not partiall, and belefte that such a vice did reigne and ought to be repressed [... testimony of witches admissible] fyrst, none honest man can know these matters; secondly, because they will not accuse themselves; thirdly because no acte which is done by them can be seene. Further, I call them witches which doe renounce God and yeld themselves wholely to the devill; but when they have recanted and repented, as these have done, then I accompt them not as witches, and so their testymony sufficient. In this I refer myself to the ministers. Besides, the inquest is to judge of the qualitie of the testymony and circumstances concernyng the same. Also it may be observed that never any of good lyfe were chardged with that cryme." (Report of King James' speech. Enclosed with 572)

8 June 1591 Assise of error, trial of Mackallean fixed  Yesterday the assize of error to try the verdict of the former jury was called to answer to their errors. "But the King so travelled with them to let them fynde their owne ignorances and his clemency to pardone the same as they put themselves into the King's will. Wherupon the assisse of errour was dischardged, and neverthelesse dyrected to remayne in this towne for two dayes."Effam Mackallean is to be arraigned tomorrow for consulting with witches and practise of the King's death. It is looked that by the evidence of other witches she shall be found guilty, but some of Bothwell's friends hope that the matter shall not be furtheer prosecuted against him, but that he shall be at liberty within twenty days and pass into a foreign country of his own accord.(Bowes to Burghley 572)

9 June 1591 Trial of Mackallean  Accused of:

1.  bewitching Michell Marioribankis inflicting a stroke on her right side.
2.  Consulting with Catherene Campbell, an Ersch woman, to help her son; using her servant Helen Inglis as intermediary.
...
6   having Catherine Campbell, the witch-wife living in the Canongate, infect her husband's doublet with blood
...
10   attempted to bewitch Jonett Cockburne, daughter of Johnne Cockburne, in company of Catherene Carrutheris, alias Erisch Jonett
...
13  Consulting with Jonett Cwninghame, alias Lady Bothwell (ane auld indytit Wich of the finest champ), in the Canongait 18 years or so previously, to obtain a poison for use on Joseph Dowglas of Punfrastoune.

14 June 1591 Trial of Mackallean; Kennedy, Graham accuses Bothwell  "The assisse for the triall of Effam Mackallean have gyven their verdict, and found her gilty in nyne severall causes: whereof six are for witchcraft and consulting with witches, one for murdering by sorcery - the childe of Captayne Yowstone - sonne of her husbande's sister, and two for treasones agaynst the King's persone; the first for treason for her presence at the assembly of the witches at Atkynson's Haven, and delyvering there to the devill the picture of the King to be consumed for the destruccion of the King; and the second for her like presence at the convencion of the witches at North Barwicke, and demaunding ther to have the picture menciouned to be restored to them by the devill, that they might consume for the purpose resyted. The judgement shalbe gyven to morrow, that shee shal be burnt quicke, according to the lawess of this reealme." This trial of Mackalleanis thought to touch Bothwell narrowly, and Kennedy the witch of Reydon, lately in England, has secretly told the King sundry matters against the earl agreeing with Graham, his chief accuser; whereby it is "deepely printed in the King's concept that the erle is fowle in the practyse of the King's death." whereupon the King hesitates to enlarge him; yet it is intended that he shall be delivered upon caution to depart our of this realme, and not to return without the King's licence. [nowhere secure, and too many friends in the nobility] (Bowes to Burghley 577)

15 June 1591 Bill for materials for burning Mackallean’s corpse  "...payit for the carying of the maist part of thir coilis with the rest of the fyre appointet for Barbarie Naper into ane hous in Johne Edyearis cloiss and for carying out of the samyn quhen Euphame McCalyeane was execut ....16s" (Burgh of Edinburgh Treasurer's Accounts)

15 June 1591 Cost of Execution of Euphame Mackallean  Burgh Treasurer's accounts give the cost of execution of Mackallean on the 'xv day of Junij 1591' as £11 7s.

14 - 19 June 1591 King to Maitland on Napier, Mackallean and Graham  "Sen theire can na present tryall be hadd of the Erl Bothuell, I thinke best he præpaire him self to depairt uithin threttie or fourtie dayes, his absence to be na neirair hande nor Germanie or Italie. That he remaine quhaire he is quhill the schipp be readdie to pull up saillis [...] As for thee cullourid cause of his depairture, advyse upon sum honorabill excuse, for thair is na want of maitter.
Trye by the medicinairis aithis gif Barbara Nepair be uith bairne or not. Tak na delaying ansour. Gif ye finde sho be not, to the yre uith her presesentlie [sic], and cause bouell her publicclie. Lett Effie Makkaillen see the stoup tua or three dayes, and upon the suddain staye her in hope of confession. Gif that servis, adverteis; gif not dispatche her the next oulke anis, bot not according to the rigoure of the dome. The rest of the inferioure uitchis, of at the naill uith thaim, but garr see that Ritchie Grahme uant not his ordinarie allouaince quhill I take farther ordoure uith him.." (King James to Maitland 557; misdated April 1591. Note this suggests that Mackallean was not to be burned to death, but rather than the king reduced her sentence to the normal execution by strangling. This is confirmed by Calderwood below.)

19 June 1591 Sentence on Mackallean  On Tuesday last judgement was given that Effam Mackallean should be burnt alive. The execution is stayed because she alleges herself to be with child, and still denies all matters in her indictments, though some appear very evident against her. "It is looked that in respect of her present condicion shee will reforme her selfe, and disclose the truth in her knowledge; but the sownd of the paryses given by many - wishing the end of her lyfe to be rather with the danger of her owne soul then to the perill of their freendes to be accused by her - doth so prevayle with her as there is litle hope of any change in her." [...] And having sent this day a long letter to the Chancellor, written with his own hand, it is thought that he has given order to him to proceed with Bothwell for his liberty granted on conditions allowed by the King by their mediations (Bowes to Burghley 577)  

19 June 1591 Janet Stratton and Donald Robson depositions from prison to a notary public in presence of Lord Seton tmhat they knew nothing to suggest Bothwell was involved in witchcraft.[WEMS 189-190]

25 June 1591 Proclamation against Bothwell  "... he having alsua now at last, for the bettir executioun of his wickit intentioun and tressonabill conspiracie aganis his Majesteis awin persoun, had consultatioun with nygromancris, witcheis, and utheris wickit and ungodlie personis, bayth without and within this cuntre, for bereving of his Hienes lyff, confessit be sum of the same kynd alreddy execute to the deid and sum utheris yit on lyve reddy to be execute for the same cryme ...[former earl Bothwell outlawed] (Register of the Privy Council of Scotland iv, 644)

25 June 1591 Execution of Mackallean  ... the execution, on the Castle-hill of Edinburgh, of Euphame M'Calyeane, one of the most famous of the reputed witches of the time. Her trial had lasted from the 9th to the 13th of June, and had been on various charges, from witchcraft for private purposes, eighteen years ago, to recent sorcery for drowning the King and Queen on their way from Denmark. Before she was strangled and burnt, the poor woman "tooke it on her conscience that she was innocent of all the crymes layed to her charge." (Register of the Privy Council of Scotland iv, 645n)

25 June 1591 Execution of Mackallean  Upon Moonday, the 9th of June, Eufame Mackalzeane was accused of witchcraft, and practise to take away the king's life. The procurators pleaded so subtillie for her, that the assise could not be resolved before the 13th of June. She was wirried and burnt to ashes upon the 25th of June. She tooke it upon her conscience that she was innocent of all the crymes laid to her charge. Some other witches were also wirried and burnt about this tyme; as Donald the Man, the gleed Hieland witche, etc. (Calderwood vol.V pp.128-9)  

4 July 1591 Depositions of Donald Robson and Janet Stratton in prison to the effect that they knew nothing of the late Euphame MacCalzean, had not seen her except during trial, and said what they did under pressure and fear of torture.[WEMS 191-6]

?? June/July 1591 Bothwell's defence  [The accuser, Ritchie Grahame is a] "pretended nigromancer bot in effect a lyer and a false abuser ignorant of that art that men wald attribute unto him." The charge is an "incredible and unnatural accusation led against a noble personage by an infamous person moved by the dispositioun and humeur of his divilish natur,and continued by the envyful suggestioun of malicious persons, anvaryeth as his houp of promesed pardoun dois chainge." In the past many people had consulted Grahame "knawing the jugglary of the fallow and some other knaves that he had to renew the mynd of melancolik persons besyds the using of his skill in haling of sores and wounds, used his help and cumpanye." [but when there spread a report of "conspyracies, conventions and conjurations" of witches against his Majesty "this jugglar and abuser" thought to gain "some creddit to himself" by acting as accuser and witness against Bothwell. The "gleid witche" sent from England accused Bothwell at first, but under examination recanted and others also did the same in spite of threats and torture. (Robert Bruce?Warrender Papers pp. 154-169)

26 October 1591 Commission for discovery of witches  [Commission including Robert Bruce set up to deal with] "alsweill thame quhilkis ar already convict, or utheris quhilkis ar detenit captive and hes confessit, and sum that hes not confessit, as alswa all sic utheris as ar dilatit, or that heireftir sal be acused and dilaitit, off committing, using and practizing of witchcraft, sorcherie, inchantment, and utheris divilish divysis.. [to try and examine, and report to his Highness and his Council] - "the personis wilfull or refusand to declair the veritie to putt to the tortour, or sic uthir punishement to useand caus be usit as may move thame to utter the treuth ..." (Register of the Privy Council of Scotland iv, 680)

4 December 1591 Geillis Duncan and Bessie Thomson on the point of execution deny Barbara Napier and Euphame McCalzean  were known by them to be witches, nor sought to harm the king or anyone else; swore they had given false evidence against Napier and MacCalzean because they were made and  persuaded to do so by the two David Setons in Tranent and others, but it was all lies. Duly witnessed and notarised.[WEMS 197-9]

Trials listed in Larner et al Sourcebook as "–.–.1591"

Spring 1592 Bothwell's letter to the ministry  [...] two principall points are objected against me [...] and consulting with witches , for the destructioun of his Majestie, my soverane. [...] I am accused by deboshed and infamous persons, and poore beggars that have desperatlie renounced their faith and baptisme. The accusatioun of suche is not sufficient to prove, in anie civill caus, the valour of five shilling. [...] all these desperat persouns, whatsomever they have alledged upon hope of life against me, yitt, in end, by their latter speeches, they have declared me innocent, albeit they laiked not malicious persons to perswade them to the contrarie. So of all that number, resteth onlie Richard Grahame to afirme against me; and he hath a warrant of his life weill subscribed. But the more he is assured of his life, the more dishonour to the estat, and his depositiouns are the more suspicious. For I am assured, if he were ather tortured or executed, he sould, as the rest have done, confese his errour, seing I am able to prove, that not eight dayes before he accused me, he said these words to a gentleman of good place and fame:What sall I doe? I must ather dee, or lee of noblemen. Yea, his owne brother, and some of your owne number, sall be witnesses heerof, if need be. Moreover what malefactor, specially suche as he is, will refuse, upon promise of impunitie, to accuse another, were he never so innocent? [...] It is not then to be marvelled, though deboshed Richie Grahame inspired with an uncleane spirit, accuse me for preserving of his owne life ...[...] For who wrote the Erle of Mortoun's dittay but the chancellor with his colleagues [...] a puddock-stoole of a night ...(Calderwood  vol.V pp.150-6 passim]

24 February 1592 Execution of Ritchie Graham ordered  Order is given for the execution of "Grayme" and some others accused of witchcraft. (Roger Aston to Bowes enclosed with 664)

28 February 1592 Trial/Execution of Richard Graham  Richard Graham tried at Edinburgh and executed. (LLM R.Birrell Diary Edinburgh 1795)

29 February 1592 Execution of Richard Grahame  Upon Tuisday, the last of February, Richard Grahame, the great sorcerer, was wirried and burnt at the Croce of Edinburgh. He stood hard to his former confessioun tuiching Bothwell's practise against the king; that Arran, Lord Farneyeere, was an inchanter; that the devill was raised at the Laird of Auchinfleck's dwelling-place, and in Sir Lewis Bellendine, the Justice-Clerk's yaird. The bruit went that the chancellor had some tables and images about his necke, and that he was sure so long as he used them so; but Richard Grahame deponned no suche mater. (Calderwood vol.V p.148)

29 February 1592 Execution of Ritchie Graham  Tuesday, Feb. 29, Richard Grahame, the arch-sorcerer of the day, who had been mixed up with the witchcraft practices of Barbara Napier, Euphame M'Calyean, and others, for a year or two past, was strangled and burnt at the Cross of Edinburgh. He adhered to the last to the declarations he had already made that Bothwell had held magical consultations as to the King's death; he averred that ex-Chancellor Arran also dealt in enchantments; and he confessed to several raisings of the devil, - in particular, once "in the Laird of Auchinleck's dwelling-place" and once in the yard of thehouse in the Canongate belonging to Sir Lewis Bellenden, the late Justice-Clerk. (Register of the Privy Council of Scotland iv,729n)

? March 1592 Report of Execution of Ritchie Graham  "Upon Tuisday the lst of Februar, Richard Grahame, the great sorcerer, was wirried and burnt at the Croce of Edinburgh. He stood hard to his former confessioun tuiching Bothwell's practise against the king." (Calderwood vol.V p.148)

8 March 1592 Report of Execution of Ritchie Graham  Ricchy Grame was burnt yesterday, "whoo has taken it uppon his ded" (that) all he spake of the Earl Bothwell was true. (Roger Aston to Bowes enclosed with 666)

23 February 1592 Release of Barbara Napier  Ordanet upoun ane warrand direct fra the Kingis Ma^tie, that Barbara Naper, spous to Ard. Douglas, be putt to libertie furth of waird, and William Naper of Wrichtishoussis, hir brother, is becum souertie for her reentrie. (Burgh of Edinburgh Records)

6 June 1592 Bothwell forfeit for treason with Ritchie Graham etc  ... the forfeiture of Bothwell for the Brig of Dee is confirmed, and now he is forfeited for his treason with Richie Graham, the sorcerer, and for the abbey raid; (Bowes to Burghley 691)

12 August 1593 Bothwell's trial   Trial "beganne upon Friday last the tenth day" and was acquitted by his peers. "Mr Davyd Magyll, the Kinges advocate (which is in place as it were her Majesties atturney) delyvered in certen depositions by one Richard Greyme who was the witche tht acused the Lorde Bothwell and having had conference with divers other wytches." "The substance of the depositions.- Certen metinges are specyfyed in the said depositions to have bene betwene thErle Bothwell and Greyme, and that therle Bothwell employd a man of his called Renian Chirnsyde to procure more then xxtie metinges betwene his lordship and Greyme. The cheif pointes Greyme alledgeth were - that therle Bothwell should tell him that he was told in Italye that his King should favoure him well, and yet he should lose that love of him and be in dainger of his life by his kinge - wherein he requyred Greymes assistance to prevent yt. Wherupon Greyme had conference with other wytches (as he saith) amongst whome the conclusion was, that therle Bothwell should havea poison delyvered him, made of adders skynnes, tode skynnes, and the hipomanes in the forehead of a yong fole, all whiche being joyned by there arte together, should be such a poison as being laid where the kinge should comme, so as yt might dropp uppon his head, yt wold be a poison of such vehemencye, as should have presently cut him off. Another maner device for his destruction was this - to make his picture of waxe mingled with certen other thinges, which should have consumed and melted awaye in tyme, meanyng the Kinge should consume as it did. A third mean to cut him of was - that he should be enchaunted to remayne in Denmarke, and not returne into Scotland.
[Defence argued Graham's interrogatories were contradictory, and he could not be witness or accuser as a man excommunicate and professing witchcraft] [Bothwell said he had given Grahame shelter, being excommunicate; sent Chirnside to take him to sick Earl of Angus. met him once more at the Chancellor's house...] "where in the presence of me and the chancelor, as we were ryding, he showd us a sticke with nickes in yt all wrapped about with longe heire eyther of a man or a woman, and said yt was an enchanted stick; to which speech I gave small regarde."
"Then was ther put into the court by the Kinges advocate the confession of dyvers other wytches, Greymes confederates who were burned at Edenbroughe as Agnes Sampson, Effam Mackenell, Barbara Nepar, and other ijo burned, besides other iiijor that were let lose. Who being often examyned, said still they never knewe anything by thErle Bothwell, but as a noble man, neyther had they ever any conference with him as Greyme alledged. It was further approved there by thexaminaciouns, that Greyme did never accuse Bothwell in any thing till such tyme as he had a warrant under the councelles handes (...) that if he wold speake simply and trewly what he knewe, his life should be preserved, and he should lyve in Sterling castle, where he should feare no mans mallice and have good allowance. After which warrant, then in all depositions ever after he toucht Bothwell."
[Defence: in taking away his life, you have proven Grahame false] "Then came in divers honest men of Edenboroughe that were deposed that Richard Greyme said to theme tht he must eyther accuse the Erle Bothwell falselye, or els endure such tormentes as no man were able to abyde. His own brother came in, and before the court was deposed, that he had many tymes protested to him that he was forced to accuse the Erle Bothwell for feare of maymynge with the bootes and other tortures."
[Bothwell argued the acusation stemmed from the chancellor ("a speciall mean of the Queene his mothers deathe, and a conspirer and speciall worcker of all the treasons and conspiracies contryved in Scotland) and Sir John Carmichael (a pensioner of England) , because Bothwell held the Borders against Her Majesty] (John Carey, Deputy-Governor of Berwick, to Burghley Calendar of Letters and Papers relating to the Borders I, 486 no.878)

Bothwell Lamentation to the Ministers  Ritchie Graham accused me [...] That the "delation" might seem the more probable, so is the said Richard executed, to my prejudice.{...} You know this year and more I, my wife, and innocent children have not had of my own living som much allowance as was bestowed on Richie Graham. (In the hand of Bowes' clerk. Indorsed "The copie of Bothwell's lamentation set on the ministers' doores"782)

Trials listed in Larner et al Sourcebook as "–.–.1593"  

Trials listed in Larner et al Sourcebook as "–.–.1594"  

no date North Berwick executions continued?   In the trial of Beigis Tod, 1608, it is stated that for certaine "devillische practizes ... Cristiane Tod [sister of Beigis], Johnne Gray-meill, Ersche [Irish] Marioun and Margaret Dwne was convict and brunt". (Black; Pitcairn v.2 p.543)

Trials listed in Larner et al Sourcebook as 1607-1608  

12 May 1598 Payment to Jailer for feeding witches   The Edinburgh Burgh Treasurer's accounts show payments to James Nisbet 'the javellour' of 50 shillings 'for furnesing meit and drink to sum witches'

__________________________________________________________________

(Variant)  About this tym many Witches wer tane in Lowdien, wha deponit of some [ ] maid be THE ERLE BODOWELL as they allegit, [as they alleged - omitted] against his Maiesteis persone: Quhilk commiyng to the said Earlis eares, he entred in ward within the Castell of Edenbrouch, desyring to be tryed; alleging that the Deuell, wha was a lyer from the begynning, nor yet his sworn witches [the witches his sworn servants], aucht not to be credited. Specially, ane renowned midwyf callit ANNY SAMPSOUN [AMY SIMSON], affirmed, that sche, in company with nyn vthers witches, being convenit in the nycht besyd Prestounpannes, the Deuell their maister being present, standing in the midis of thame, ther a body of wax, schaipen and maid be the said Anny Sampsoun [AS], wrappit within a lynnyng claith, was first delyuerit to the Deuell; quhilk [who],efter he had pronuncit his verde, delyuerit the said pictour to Anny Sampsoun [AS] and sche to hir nyxt marrow, and sa euery ane round about, saying 'This is King James the Sext, ordonit [ordered] to be consumed at the instance of a noble man, Francis Erle Bodowell!'

Efterwart again at ther meting be nycht in the kirk of North Berick, wher the Deuell, clad in a blak gown, with a blak hat vpon his head, preachit vnto a great nomber of them out of a pulpit, having lyk leicht candelis rond about him.

The effect of his language was till knaw what skaith they had done; whow many they had gained to ther opinion sen their last meting; what succes the melting of the pictour had tane, and sic other vain toyes [things]. And because ane ald sely [silly] pure plowman, callit Grey Meill [Gray Meilt], chancit to say, that "nathing ailit the King yet, God be thankit!" the Deuell gaif him a gret blaw. Then [Thus] dyuers amang them enterit in raisonyng, maruelling that all ther deuelleie culd do na harm to the King, as it did till others dyuers. The Deuell ansuerit, "Il est vn home de Dieu." And certanly he is a man of God, ['Il est un homme de Dieu, Certainly he is a man of God'] and dois na wrang wittingly, bot is inclynit to all godlynes, justice and vertu; therefor God hes preserued him in the midis of many dangers. Now efter that the Deuell had endit his admonitions, he cam down out of the pulpit, and caused all the company to com kiss his ers, quhilk they said was cauld lyke yce; his body hard lyk yrn, as they thocht that handled him; his faice was terrible; his noise lyk the bek of an eegle; gret bournyng eyn; his handis and legis wer herry [hoary], with clawes vpon his handis and feit lyk the griffon, and spak with a how voice! (Sir James Melville Memoirs)

Go back to Beginning of Timeline

Go back to January 1591