th the heads of noble houses, raised formidable
enemies against her. Her influence at court was great; but this did
not save her from being accused of witchcraft. The fair popular lady
was tried in a criminal court for procuring the death of her husband
by intoxication, or unholy drugging; for a design to poison the king;
and for notorious witchcraft. She was found guilty, and burned.

Lady Fowlis was another intended noble victim. She and her step-son,
Hector Munro, were tried, in 1590, for witchcraft, incantation,
sorcery, and poisoning. The charges against the lady were the
diabolical acts of making two images of clay, the one representing the
young lady of Balnagowan, and the other personating Robert Munro (both
of whom, it was alleged, stood in her way of advancement in life),
which figures two notorious witches put up in a room, and shot at with
elf arrows. As these operations did not terminate the existence of the
intended victims, an attempt was made to poison them; but for a time
this also proved unsuccessful. At length the young lady of Balnagowan
tasted her sister-in-law's infernal potion, whereby she contracted an
incurable disease. Disappointed at the draught not immediately proving
fatal, Lady Fowlis sent far and wide for gipsies and witches, to
consult with them as to what was best to be done. More clay images
were made, and shot at with elf arrows. She was tried by a jury,
composed chiefly of the Fowlis dependants, who acquitted her.

Several of her witch accomplices were not so fortunate; they suffered
the extreme penalty of the law. It was proved on trial, that Hector
Munro had communed with three witches, in 1588, for the recovery of
his eldest brother, Robert, who was dangerously ill. The witches
"pollit the hair of Robert Munro, and plet the naillis of his fingers
and taes;" but the charms were ineffectual, and Robert died. Hector,
the panel, was unwell, and pronounced by women of skill to be
incurable unless the chief man of his blood, George Munro of Abisdale,
Lady Catherine's eldest son, should die for him. All things being
ready, George was sent for to see his sick friend. When he came, a
spell was applied, according to the directions of his foster-mother
and certain witches. A grave was made between two manors, and at night
the sick man was laid in the grave, where he rested until one of the
witches consulted the devil as to what should be done next. The
invalid was covered over with turf, whi