[1][2] His story is notable as an example of a male witch who was believed to have had a sexual relationship with a supernatural entity - in the case of female witches, they were typically believed to have consorted with the Devil, whereas Man claimed to have sexual relations with a local folkloric fairy queen.
[3] Man claimed to have first met the fairy queen as a boy, when in return for his kindness to her, she bestowed him with healing powers.
At his trial, Man described scenes reminiscent of the contemporary conception of a Witches' Sabbath, feasting and dancing with half-man, half-stag beings.
Scottish belief in fairies and other folkloric supernatural beings was interpreted by the Inquisitors as evidence of consort with demons.
Court trials in the late 16th century Scotland record testimony by the accused declaring their powers to be fairy-derived and others claimed to have long-term relationships.