In early February 1624, the legal machinery of the Scottish state turned its attention toward David Langlandis, a married man residing in the burgh of Linlithgow. Recorded in the judicial archives under case reference C/EGD/939, David’s experience became part of a formalised process that moved swiftly from initial accusation to the structured proceedings of the courtroom. While the records provide limited insight into the specific grievances brought against him, the existence of a corresponding trial record, T/LA/373, confirms that his situation reached the stage of formal legal examination.
As with many individuals swept up in the witch trials of this era, David found himself caught within the intersections of local community suspicion and the rigorous expectations of the Scottish High Court of Justiciary. The documentation identifies him as a resident of a significant administrative and royal centre, marking his case as one of several proceedings active during a period when the prosecution of witchcraft was heavily codified. Through these surviving references, the history of David remains preserved as a distinct instance of the legal and social tensions that characterised early 17th-century life in Linlithgow.