The witches of North Berwick – what occurred?
In 1590, King James VI of Scotland turned satisfied that witches had used magic to create storms in an try to sink his ship whereas he was returning residence together with his bride, Princess Anne of Denmark.
This led to the notorious North Berwick witch trials. There have been no less than 70 arrests, most individuals concerned have been girls, and most have been subjected to torture. This led to many confessing, or naming others as fellow witches. It’s unknown precisely how many individuals have been then executed, one significantly tragic story was the case of Agnes Sampson.
Agnes was an older girl, widowed with a number of youngsters. She was a midwife and a healer. She had been investigated for witchcraft beforehand, and was identified to have enemies in her group. On confessing her half within the storm summoning, Agnes spoke to King James in individual. She informed him that the Satan had visited her after the dying of her husband. She detailed how the Satan persuaded her to participate within the plot, preying on her poverty and eagerness for revenge.
Finally Agnes’ confession then linked the opposite individuals accused of witchcraft to the plot too. Like many, Agnes was publicly executed and burned.
If you wish to know extra…
Between 1550 and 1700 nearly 4,000 individuals have been accused of witchcraft in Scotland. It’s estimated that half of these accused have been executed. Many locations throughout the nation turned prisons for the men and women who have been accused. Near North Berwick you’ll be able to go to Dirleton fortress which was a jail for these accused.
Do you know?
King James VI obsession with witches is believed to have impressed Shakespeare’s Macbeth. It’s because in Macbeth one of many witches refers to touring throughout the ocean in a sieve, which is simply what the North Berwick witches have been accused of doing.
