Thomas Weir
Encyclopedia
Major Thomas Weir was a Scottish soldier and presumed occultist, executed for witchcraft
.
Weir was a Scottish Covenanter
who professed a particularly strict form of Presbyterianism
, and whose spoken prayers were popular and attracted visitors to his home in Edinburgh
. He served under James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, as a Covenanter lieutenant. He was known as the "Bowhead Saint". This links to his residence on West Bow, off the Grassmarket
.
, descendant of one of the most powerful and ancient families of the County, the Weir-de Veres. He was the son of Thomas Weir, Laird of Kirkton, and his wife Lady Jean Somerville who was reputed to possess clairvoyant powers. His grandfather was William Weir or Vere of Stonebyres Castle who married Lady Elizabeth Hamilton. Major Weir was a signatory of the Solemn League and Covenant
, and an officer in the Scottish Anti-Royalist army. As a Lieutenant
, he served in Ulster during the Irish Rebellion of 1641
. In 1650, after retiring with the rank of Major
, he obtained the post of commander of the Edinburgh Town Guard. When the defeated Jacobite
General, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
, was in custody in Edinburgh before his execution, Weir notoriously mocked and abused him.
Weir became ill in 1670, and from his sick-bed began to confess to a life of crime and vice. The Lord Provost initially found the confession implausible and took no action, but eventually Weir and his sister were taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth
for interrogation. Major Weir continued to expand on his confession, and Jean Weir, seemingly having entirely lost her wits, gave an even more exaggerated history of witchcraft, sorcery and vice. Whilst at first this high-ranking public figure was not believed, his own confession coupled by a witness, stating that they saw his walking stick walking down the street in front of him, sealed his fate.
Both he and his sister were quickly found guilty at their trial and sentenced to death, Major Weir to be garotted and burned, and Jean Weir hanged.
Awaiting execution they were confined in the former leper colony near Calton Hill. He was strangled and burned, at the Gallowlee (literally field with the gallows at the end) between Edinburgh and Leith
.. This site is now occupied by the Shrubhill Garage site, near Pilrig on Leith Walk
. The execution followed a further public confession of incest
with his sister Jean (sometimes known as 'Grizel'), who was also executed.
They were buried at the base of the gallows, as was the custom of the times.
Witchcraft
Witchcraft, in historical, anthropological, religious, and mythological contexts, is the alleged use of supernatural or magical powers. A witch is a practitioner of witchcraft...
.
Weir was a Scottish Covenanter
Solemn League and Covenant
The Solemn League and Covenant was an agreement between the Scottish Covenanters and the leaders of the English Parliamentarians. It was agreed to in 1643, during the First English Civil War....
who professed a particularly strict form of Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
, and whose spoken prayers were popular and attracted visitors to his home in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He served under James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, as a Covenanter lieutenant. He was known as the "Bowhead Saint". This links to his residence on West Bow, off the Grassmarket
Grassmarket
The Grassmarket is an historic market square in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland.In relation to the rest of the city the area is a hollow, well below surrounding ground levels.-Location:...
.
Biography
Weir was a native of Carluke ( Kirkstyle ) in LanarkshireLanarkshire
Lanarkshire or the County of Lanark ) is a Lieutenancy area, registration county and former local government county in the central Lowlands of Scotland...
, descendant of one of the most powerful and ancient families of the County, the Weir-de Veres. He was the son of Thomas Weir, Laird of Kirkton, and his wife Lady Jean Somerville who was reputed to possess clairvoyant powers. His grandfather was William Weir or Vere of Stonebyres Castle who married Lady Elizabeth Hamilton. Major Weir was a signatory of the Solemn League and Covenant
Solemn League and Covenant
The Solemn League and Covenant was an agreement between the Scottish Covenanters and the leaders of the English Parliamentarians. It was agreed to in 1643, during the First English Civil War....
, and an officer in the Scottish Anti-Royalist army. As a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, he served in Ulster during the Irish Rebellion of 1641
Irish Rebellion of 1641
The Irish Rebellion of 1641 began as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for the Catholics living under English rule...
. In 1650, after retiring with the rank of Major
Major
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
, he obtained the post of commander of the Edinburgh Town Guard. When the defeated Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
General, James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose
James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed...
, was in custody in Edinburgh before his execution, Weir notoriously mocked and abused him.
Weir became ill in 1670, and from his sick-bed began to confess to a life of crime and vice. The Lord Provost initially found the confession implausible and took no action, but eventually Weir and his sister were taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth
Old Tolbooth, Edinburgh
The Old Tolbooth was a medieval building located on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland.Demolished in 1817, the Tolbooth served various purposes during its existence. It housed early meetings of the Estates of Scotland, Court of Session, and also of the Provost and Burgesses of the Burgh Council...
for interrogation. Major Weir continued to expand on his confession, and Jean Weir, seemingly having entirely lost her wits, gave an even more exaggerated history of witchcraft, sorcery and vice. Whilst at first this high-ranking public figure was not believed, his own confession coupled by a witness, stating that they saw his walking stick walking down the street in front of him, sealed his fate.
Both he and his sister were quickly found guilty at their trial and sentenced to death, Major Weir to be garotted and burned, and Jean Weir hanged.
Awaiting execution they were confined in the former leper colony near Calton Hill. He was strangled and burned, at the Gallowlee (literally field with the gallows at the end) between Edinburgh and Leith
Leith
-South Leith v. North Leith:Up until the late 16th century Leith , comprised two separate towns on either side of the river....
.. This site is now occupied by the Shrubhill Garage site, near Pilrig on Leith Walk
Leith Walk
Leith Walk is one of the longest streets in Edinburgh, Scotland. It stretches from The Foot Of Leith Walk at the junction of Great Junction Street and Constitution Street to the junction with London Road, it then links to the east end of Princes Street via Leith Street...
. The execution followed a further public confession of incest
Incest
Incest is sexual intercourse between close relatives that is usually illegal in the jurisdiction where it takes place and/or is conventionally considered a taboo. The term may apply to sexual activities between: individuals of close "blood relationship"; members of the same household; step...
with his sister Jean (sometimes known as 'Grizel'), who was also executed.
They were buried at the base of the gallows, as was the custom of the times.
Legacy
The story of Weir has been proposed as an influence on Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, by Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
Further reading
- David Stevenson, Major Weir: a justified sinner?, Scottish Studies, 16 (1972)