The Dirleton Witch Hunts of 1649-50

[Eldorado]

"This Women’s History Month, we remember those executed for witchcraft in early modern Scotland.

"Between 1550 and 1700 nearly 4,000 people were accused, 85% of them women. A third to a half of those accused were executed.

"The Church of Scotland heavily influenced witch hunts, seeing witchcraft as a sin and a threat to Christianity. Suspects would be imprisoned and interrogated with the aim of obtaining confessions, sometimes tortured with sleep deprivation.

"During the panic of 1649-50 over 600 people were accused of witchcraft across southern and eastern Scotland. Six of those were from the parish of Dirleton in East Lothian."

Full article at Historic Environment Scotland: Link

[Piney]

10 hours ago, Eldorado said:

"Between 1550 and 1700 nearly 4,000 people were accused, 85% of them women. A third to a half of those accused were executed.

They can thank the Stuarts for that. Especially James VI aka I. 

 

[jaylemurph]

James was freaked out about witches since his marriage to Christine of Denmark. I wrote a paper looking at how dramatic images of witches change between Elizabeth’s and James’ time. It won an award. 

—Jaylemurph