In July 1629, Margaret Loche, a resident of Eyemouth in Berwick, became the subject of judicial proceedings under case reference C/EGD/674. The formal charges leveled against her were grave, centering on *maleficium*—the practice of harmful magic—and allegations of her participation in a witches' meeting. Following the initiation of her trial (T/LA/645) on July 16, the legal process moved swiftly; within less than a week, Margaret provided a formal confession on July 22, 1629.
The scope of the investigation into Margaret’s activities extended well beyond her own individual testimony, as she was deeply enmeshed in a wider web of accusations within the local community. She was explicitly denounced by several individuals, including Agnes Falconer, Janet Liddel, Margaret Ballame (Baleny), and Alexander Hammiltoun. Furthermore, records identify a significant circle of those considered her accomplices, specifically Jonet Dick, John Adam, Katharine Cristie, Patrick Sinclair, and Aleson Sinclair. These interlocking testimonies illustrate the communal nature of the witch trials during this period, where one individual's legal reckoning often implicated a broader network of acquaintances and neighbors.
