Author Archives: mwcraig11

On the 11 July 1644 Agnes Fynnie was arrested and sent to the Tolbooth in Edinburgh. There were twenty charges of witchcraft and sorcery on the court dittay. That whereas by the eighteenth chapter of Deuteronomyand the twentieth of Leviticus, and … Continue reading →

On 12 June 1662, Sir Archibald Douglas of Kelso obtained a Commission from the Privy Council to try four accused witches: Bessie Thomson, Malie Jonstoun, Agnes Quarie and Malie Turnbull. Douglas was a fervent Covenanter and was extremely outspoken in … Continue reading →

A short podcast with Lea Taylor and me chatting about witches in Midlothian.

Thomas Weir was born in Carluke in 1599. He was a signatory to the Solemn League and Covenant. He served in the Covenanter army and in 1650, became commander of the Edinburgh Town Guard. While commander, he began each day … Continue reading →

Witch brodders or witch prickers were one of the few individuals involved in witchcraft trials that made a living. They were paid for every witch they detected. They were the specialist who could find the ‘Devil’s Mark’ on a suspected … Continue reading →

The courts in Scotland in the 17th century recognised four ‘proofs’ of witchcraft. Having a bad reputation, being a ‘quarrelsome dame’ or having a history of bad behaviour was the first proof. This proof was the weakest the courts recognised … Continue reading →

I am currently writing the story of an Edinburgh woman who was put on trial in 1645 as a witch. An ordinary woman she was trying to survive in a world of famine, plague and civil war with an absent … Continue reading →

Meet Florian Poels, a printer from my book Beside The Annexe ‘I’m sorry Mr Poels but Mr Frank is not here and left no word about any order with you.’ Florian glared at Miep as she sat calmly behind her … Continue reading →

My talk at the National Library of Scotland about the 17th century witchcraft trials in the Scottish Borders.

One if the characters from my latest book ‘Beside the Annexe’ Leo took a final look round the shop. Everything was in order. He smoothed down his white apron and positioned himself behind the counter.             ‘Open the door, Dirk.’ … Continue reading →