North Berwick - confessions, trials, executions Flashcards
(19 cards)
who was Agnes Sampson?
named in Gilly Duncan’s confession
an old healer - a typical suspect of witchcraft
Agnes Sampson’s interrogation
James interrogated and examined her
devices used within interrogation included a witch’s bridle, cords around her limbs, and sleep deprivation
what was Agnes Sampson charged with?
healing the sick
discovering information of a personal nature on behalf of others
sailing across the sea in a sieve
calling on the Devil in the shape of a dog to assist her with healing
why was James involved in the case of Agnes Sampson?
asked if she has been responsible for the storms
what was the impact of Agnes Sampson’s confession
she repeated the words passed between James and Anne on their wedding night
- convinced James of her guilt
magistrates agreed she was a leader of the coven of witches
others accused expanded beyond North Berwick as Sampson had travelled far due to her occupation as a healer
who was John Fian?
a schoolmaster
named in Gilly Duncan’s confession
John Fian’s interrogation
questioned and tortured to identify other witches
torture included:
- head twisted with rope
- needles under his fingernails
- a device known as the ‘boots’
his refusal to confess made his torture more intense - believed that if a witch didn’t refuse it was because the Devil was particularly entrenched in their soul
what was John Fian Charged with?
taking part in treason against James
giving the kiss of shame to the Devil
dismembering unbaptised babies
brining down a house as an act of revenge
bewitching another man
flying through the air
why was John Fian accused?
easy target for accusations - as a schoolmaster he interacted with many locals
affairs with many married women
one of few educated people in his community, so knew Latin - could have been suspected by illiterate people of possessing hidden knowledge
as an influential person in the community, he could have turned others against the Church to obey the Devil
what was James’ role in the North Berwick trials?
took personal interest
leading role in interrogating and prosecution
Agnes Sampson’s confession caught his attention because it provided explanation for the storms
could have used them to assist his political cause
why was James so interested in witches?
influences from childhood made him suspicious:
- political crisis and conspiracies sorrounding Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth influenced James to be conscious of plots against him
- grew up in a highly charged religious environment
belief in the divine right of kings and concern with plots against him
what was the role of torture?
James approved it and his personal involvement ensured it was used widely, regardless of whether it was officially sanctioned by the Privy Council
How did the Earl of Bothwell rise under James?
became a military commander and joined the Privy Council
then became Lord High Admiral of Scotland
what scandals was the Earl of Bothwell involved in?
1583: involved in a plot to oust the royal favourite, the Earl of Arran
1587: openly criticised James for failing to prevent the execution of Mary Queen of Scots
1589: found guilty of treason as part of a group who were believed to be conspiring to seize the king
his involvement caused his career to take a downward trajectory
how is the Earl of Bothwell connected to the case of Agnes Sampson?
she confessed that he asked her to predict how long James would live for and what would happen after his death
claimed that he encouraged her to send her familiar to kill the king
how had Bothwell been involved in the journey of James and Anne?
Bothwell suggested James make the journey to collect Anne himself
James believed this implied Bothwell already know about the storms
how did James attempt to punish Bothwell?
April 1591: Bothwell summoned before the Privy Council to explain himself. He denied involvement, but was held to await trial. He escaped in June
December: Bothwell forced to go into hiding after attacking Holyrood Palace
April 1952: James attempted to pursue him
June: Bothwell made another attempt to capture the king and James failed to capture him
July-October: his supporters were charged but he evaded capture
eventually Bothwell received an official pardon and was cleared of witchcraft charges
what was the outcome of Bothwell’s trial?
acquitted by jury
James fearful of Bothwell’s growing political influence, so withdrew us pardon and proclaimed Bothwell would have to go into exile
Bothwell unsuccessfully attempted an uprising. James proclaimed he was guilty of treason, and Bothwell departed for mainland Europe
impact of confessions, trials, and executions
judicial proceedings against suspected witches began in 1950 and continued for 3 years
many of the accused fled to England
the fate of most high-profile witches are known:
- Gilly Duncan was hanged
- John Fian was executed then burned
- Agnes Sampson was executed, then burned
