The historical record for the trial of Catherine Duncane, a resident of Haddington, situates her within the turbulent judicial landscape of late sixteenth-century Scotland. In accordance with the legislative framework established by the Witchcraft Act of 1563, Catherine was brought before the authorities on 8 May 1591. Her case, documented under reference C/EGD/70, represents one of many such proceedings that preoccupied local burgh courts and the central judiciary during this period of heightened concern regarding maleficium and perceived supernatural intervention in the lives of the populace.
Following her initial appearance and the formal processing of her case, Catherine was subjected to the rigorous legal procedures of the time, as evidenced by the supplementary record T/LA/942. This entry confirms that the matter proceeded to trial, marking a significant escalation in the judicial process. Within the context of Haddington’s legal history, the trajectory of Catherine’s case—from the initial charge in May 1591 to the eventual transition into a formal trial—reflects the methodical, albeit often swift, application of the statutes that governed witchcraft allegations during the reign of James VI.