THE BURNING OF AGNES SAMPSON

THE BURNING OF AGNES SAMPSON 

The European witch craze of the Early Modern period was as brutal as it was bloody.

It is estimated that over a period of approximately 200 years, around 40,000 women, men and even children were executed for the crime of witchcraft.

Agnes Sampson was one such victim.

Agnes Sampson had been a prominent midwife and natural healer in the late 16th Century.

Her knowledge of herbal remedies and medical procedures relating to birth was so expert, that many attributed supernatural or paranormal powers to her.

At this time in it’s history, Scotland was a deeply superstitious place~ with regular mass moral panics sparked by alleged diabolical forces.

Agnes’ success as a midwife and healer was her ultimate downfall.

She was an easy target for extremist zealots, so when a wave of religious fervour swept across Scotland in the 1590s, Agnes found herself accused of being in league with the devil.

She was part of a group of approximately 100 suspects, including John Fian, who were arrested on charges of witchcraft in North Berick.

Agnes vehemently denied the charges against her.

Unfortunately for Agnes Sampson, James VI of Scotland took a special interest in her case.

She was brought before him at a council of his nobles and fiercely interrogated.

Agnes’ refusal to submit to the King’s accusations infuriated the monarch.

She was taken to a dungeon and brutally tortured, until a confession was finally extracted.

 Remarkably Agnes was able to endure her ordeal without confessing for days.

After having all hair shaved from her body, she was forced to stand naked, fixed against a wall by a painful oral contraption known as a witch’s bridle.

She stood like this for days without sleep or sustenance.

Despite this inhumane treatment, Agnes maintained her innocence, pleading with her interrogators to release her.

Frustrated by Agnes’ resilience to torture, her gaolers upped their game and deployed the use of a garrott.

Within one hour of having the noose placed around her neck and tightened, Agnes had confessed to the multitude of charges made out against her, chief of which were treason, consorting with the devil and witchcraft.

On 28th January 1591, she was taken from her cell, tied to a stake and slowly burned alive until she was dead.