Grissel Jaffray

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Grissel Jaffray
Born1600s
Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Died1669
Dundee, Angus, Scotland
NationalityScottish
Known forexecuted for witchcraft
Spouse(s)James Butchart

Grissel Jaffray (? in Aberdeen – 1669 in Dundee) was a Scottish woman burned at the stake in Dundee when accused of witchcraft. She was the last person burned for witchcraft in Dundee.

Life[]

Jaffray was born in Aberdeen and then moved to Dundee.[1] Little is known about her life, however it is known that Jaffray married James Butchart, a Dundee Burgess, in 1615. It is suspected she was part of the influential Jaffrays of Aberdeen, Alexander Jaffray who was Provost of Aberdeen in 1651.

Accusations and death[]

Jaffray was accused of being a spaewife.[2] Her husband was also charged.[1] The records relating to the accusations have been lost, however the names of the three responsible are known. All three of the accusers were leading ministers in the Dundee Presbytery at the time: Harry Scrymsour of St Mary's, John Guthrie of South Church and William Rait of Third Charge (now St Paul's).

Jaffray was interrogated and she accused several others of being witches.[1] She was sent to trial by Dundee Privy Council on 11 November 1669. She was found guilty.[3]

Before being burned, Jaffray was strangled. She is allegedly buried in the Howff graveyard in Dundee, however it is unlikely that an alleged witch would be buried on consecrated ground. Her husband escaped execution and he finished his life in a poor house.[1]

Legacy[]

Despite this a 'witches stone' stands in the spot where she is supposedly buried. Local legend has it that leaving her an offering can bring good luck to those in need, the marker can frequently be found with coins and other simple offerings placed upon it.

She has her name featured on a plaque that was installed on Peter Street as part of the Dundee Women's' Trail as well as a mosaic of a torch that both allegedly mark the spot of her death.[4]

Her life has inspired a book of fiction titled I Am Grissel Jaffray by Claire-Marie Watson, which won the Dundee 6000 award.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ancient tale of Dundee casts new spell on city". Retrieved 2018-10-22.
  2. ^ Larner, Christina (2005). A Source-Book of Scottish Witchcraft. Grimsay Press. ISBN 9781845300289.
  3. ^ Della-Piana, Patricia (2010). Witch daze. [Place of publication not identified]: Lulu Com. ISBN 978-0557763337. OCLC 943051317.
  4. ^ "Grissell Jaffray | Dundee Women's Trail". www.dundeewomenstrail.org.uk. Retrieved 2018-10-22.
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