Mauld Gauld

Maud Galt (c. 1620 c. 1670) was a lesbian accused of witchcraft in Kilbarchan, Scotland.

Biography Maud Galt lived in Kilbarchan, Scotland in the mid 17th century. She hid her sexual identity by marrying John Dickie, a wright. At the Kirk Session, Mitchell presented several of their neighbours with the clay phallus Galt supposedly used on her. She stated that the shame of the 'injury done to her' had hindered her from reporting any of this to the local laird. Several people also reported 'suffering misfortune' following crossing Galt, suggesting she could have been an assertive character.

No further legal action in regards to Maud Galt is recorded.

Historical significance Given that women were burned to death elsewhere in Europe when faced with similar allegations, Galt's case resulting in no legal ramifications in 17th century Scotland is all the more surprising and unusual.

The Biographical Dictionary of Scottish Women only records eleven entries under 'sexuality'. Jackie Foster is the only entry positively identified as a lesbian with Maud Galt, Jane Pirie and Marianne Woods (whose story was made famous as the inspiration for Lillian Hellman's 1934 play 'The Children's Hour') "accused" of lesbianism.

In this context, Galt's case has significance and "has the potential to inform Scottish social history in general".