Gothic Medieval Castle Remains

Agnes Sampson, A Scottish Witch, Tortured To Death

The witch trials occurred when everyone could be a victim of accusations leading to torture and horrible deaths. But some of the worst stories of witchcraft lead to Scotland, and Agnes Sampson is one of them.

The History Of Agnes Sampson

Agnes Sampson was a widow and mother who lived in Scotland. She was mainly a healer and a midwife. There is little information on her life or documentation as a citizen because Agnes was the village’s healer and midwife. She was a kind person who kept to herself, most likely, but she was the perfect scapegoat: woman, older, widow, healer.

Why would King James VI need a scapegoat? As mentioned in the previous article about Scotland’s witch trials, the king’s voyage back to English territory was overlooked by a storm. His marriage to Anne of Denmark brought him to Scandinavian lands, and on their way back, the storm forced them to take refuge in Norway.

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Gothic Medieval Castle Remains

The Most Brutal Witch Trials Were In Scotland

The Witch trials happened all around Europe and not just in North America. In fact, there was a place worse than Salem, and its name was North Berwick in Scotland.

When Witchcraft Had No More Place

On Halloween night in 1590, the East Lothian people suffered the accusation of witchcraft. It occurred in St. Andrew’s Auld Kirk in North Berwick.

The Witch Trials lasted for two long years, and over seventy victims underwent the consequences of high treason. The accusations knew no boundaries as the 5th Earl of Bothwell also received the charges.

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