Scottish Pagan Federation
Jonet Rendall, or in the Anglicised version Janet Rendall,[a]In Scotland and England during the sixteenth century spelling was haphazard leading to many words, places and names having several variations. Modern-day texts often use an anglicised version.[1] was a Scottish woman accused of devilry and witchcraft in OrkneyWitchcraft in Orkney possibly has its roots in the settlement of Norsemen on the archipelago from the eighth century onwards. Until the early modern period magical powers were accepted as part of the general lifestyle, but witch-hunts began on the mainland of Scotland in about 1550. . Declared guilty, she was executed on Gallowha’ on 11 November 1629.
Jonet’s story was immortalised in a traditional fireside tale, which blends historical facts with local folklore, telling of her encounters with the gentry and her supernatural abilities.
Jonet is commemorated, along with the many other Orcadians sentenced to death for witchcraft during the period 1594–1706, at the site of their execution in Kirkwall.
Background
Scant details of Jonet’s background, life or family are given in the record of her trial,[2] but she is known to have lived in the parish of Rendall, near Wass Wick Bay.[3] A poor vagabond,[4] her primary means of supporting herself was begging.[5] According to a fireside tale her cottage at Rigga was a modest, one-room stone dwelling with a thatched roof, known for its sooty atmosphere. Despite her impoverished circumstances, she was remembered by some as a kindly neighbour, who quietly helped others with her knowledge and advice.[3]
Accusations and trial
In 1629 Jonet faced accusations of witchcraft from her neighbours. Among the incidents leading to her trial are disagreements with Gilbert Sandie, who claimed she caused the death of his best mare after he refused to give her silver. Another local alleged she went to his house on Halloween some four years prior and after he refused to give her lodging she left muttering. The next morning his wife miscarried. Several other similar accusations were made against her.[6] One Christmas she was declined shelter; a fortnight later the person who turned her away died.[7]
Central to Jonet’s story is her association with a spirit guide named Walliman, whom she described as “clad in white clothes with a white head and a grey beard.” Her indictment states that she first encountered Walliman on a hillside around twenty years before her trial, during a period of destitution when she sought charity but was refused.[8] Jonet admitted having met Walliman, but claimed it was at the house of Nicoll Jockis in Halkland.[2][9] This spirit, whom Jonet prayed to, assisted her in healing both human and animal ailments. Their relationship was often interpreted through a lens of suspicion, and interrogators were eager to paint Walliman as a demonic entity.[8][b]Hills were traditionally considered places of spiritual encounters, so this detail inserted into Jonet’s narrative may have been introduced to dispel any lingering doubts regarding Walliman’s supernatural nature.[2]
Throughout her trial, Jonet steadfastly asserted that the witchcraft she was charged with was not her doing but that of Walliman, her mysterious spirit-guide; insisting that he alone was responsible for any supernatural acts attributed to her.[10] He had assured her that whoever refused her money, food or similar for her needs would cause him to retaliate against them.[11]
Another notable event during Jonet’s trial involved the “corpse bleeding” test. When she was brought near the body of an alleged victim, the corpse reportedly began to bleed, which was considered undeniable proof of guilt.[12]
Declared guilty, Jonet was taken to Gallowha’ in Kirkwall, where she was strangled then her body burnt.[3][13]
Modern interpretations
A traditional fireside story featuring Jonet is transcribed in Around the Orkney Peat-fires by W. R. Mackintosh in around 1914. The tale describes Jonet’s habit of spitting over her left shoulder to punctuate sentences and chants, giving rise to her soubriquet of “the spitting witch”. Apparently having a factual basis, it tells a story of the dying child of a member of the gentry and Jonet’s kindly relationship with the boy.[14]
The academic Julian Goodare has referred to Jonet as “Janet Rendall alias Rigga”, describing the similarities between Walliman and the familiarDemonic spirit who attends upon a witch, possessing magical powers that can be used for good or evil. Often taking the form of a small animal such as a cat. of the visionary Janet KennedyJanet or Jonet Kennedy from Redden or Reydon was a Scottish visionary involved in the North Berwick witch trials of 1590–1593., the Witch of Reydon, a minor player in the North Berwick witch trialsSeries of Scottish witch trials held between 1590 and 1593. . Walliman lacked fairy characteristics, but unusually Jonet prayed to him, suggesting a possible saintly identity.[15]
Orkney Heritage Society commissioned a project commemorating the many Orcadians executed for witchcraft during the era of the Scottish witch trialsJudicial proceedings in Scotland between the early 16th century and the mid-18th century concerned with crimes of witchcraft, part of a series of witch trials in Early Modern Europe. (1594–1706). At the end of the project in 2019 a memorial stone was unveiled at the site of some of those executions, on Gallowha’ in Kirkwall.[16]
Notes
| a | In Scotland and England during the sixteenth century spelling was haphazard leading to many words, places and names having several variations. Modern-day texts often use an anglicised version.[1] |
|---|---|
| b | Hills were traditionally considered places of spiritual encounters, so this detail inserted into Jonet’s narrative may have been introduced to dispel any lingering doubts regarding Walliman’s supernatural nature.[2] |