North Berwick Witches' Persecution: James VI of Scotland Took an Active Role in the Trials

The Burning Times reached its zenith between the late 1500s and 1700s. Protestant King James VI, later James I of England, abhorred witches and those suspected of practicing the craft. In Scotland, between the mid-1560s and early 1700s, it is thought that 3,000 to 4,000 accused witches might have been executed, most of these during James’ reign.

North Berwick Hallowe’en 1590

About 70 witches attended the All Hallow’s Eve Sabbat. On this dark autumn night, they raised a fierce storm at sea. The purpose was to sink the royal Man-of-War, with James and his bride aboard, which sailed from Denmark to Scotland. His ship survived the maelstrom.

North Berwick Witches' Persecution and Atrocities

Gillis, Gelie or Gilly Duncan (first name varies according to sources) was Chamberlain David Seton of Tranent’s maid. Suddenly, she developed the ability to heal people. Seton noticed she secretly went out at night and suspected she got her talent from the devil.

He questioned Duncan about her nocturnal excursions and was displeased with the answers. He subjected her to unspeakable torture. She wouldn’t confess. Finally, she was subjected to a body search and a devil’s mark, believed to be one made by his claw or a hot iron, was found. The girl’s only choice was to confess. She was put into jail and forced to name other witches under extreme duress. Ultimately, Duncan was burned at the stake.

The witches accused Richard Graham, a necromancer, of witchcraft. He was burned at the stake.

Also accused was the Earl of Bothwell, an alleged enemy of the King, of conspiring with them to raise the storm. He was charged with high treason and incarcerated in Edinburgh Castle from which he escaped.

About seventy people were accused of witchcraft. The records don’t indicate the exact amount or how many were executed.

North Berwick Witches Aftermath

What really happened on Hallowe’en 1590 isn’t possible to verify. Many historians and scholars give no credence to the confessions of those accused because they came about due to extreme torture. The idea of trying to raise a storm at sea is derided. Others, although they believe magick exists, reject the raising of a storm, especially for the purpose of killing a king. Among these are today’s witches of Scottish heritage who argue that this is out of character for their ancestors.

There is research suggesting the North Berwick trials were created by James VI, David Seton and James Carmichael, minister of Haddington, to further their political and religious ambitions.

The Encyclopedia of Witches & Witchcraft, Rosemary Ellen Guiley, (Facts on File, Inc., 1999)

Nov 21, 2008 8:22 AM

Guest :

"...in the holocaust against the nature people, nine millio European women died." CP

Nov 24, 2008 11:47 AM

Jill Stefko :

Hi,
Thank you for your comment.

I agree that the Burning Times were a holocaust and also genocide. Many people don’t realize that genocide is not just the intentional destruction of an ethnic group, but also the mass killing of cultural and political groups. I believe those who were executed during the Burning Times were a cultural group of people, therefore fit the definition. And, yes, women were the primary targets as evidenced by records of executions, not only in Europe, but also in America.

As for the Holocaust, the Jews were the second group of people Hitler exterminated. There was a global depression. According to historians, including Aoumiel, (Dancing Shadows, Llewellyn Publications, 1994), four other groups preceded the Jews, which she and others call the “other six million,” the forgotten ones.

Homosexuals: Then, practicing this was considered a crime, mental illness and immoral. People didn’t care if they were killed.

The mentally ill: A drain on the economy. So what?

Gypsies: Mysterious nomadic people. Don’t you know they’re thieves and kidnappers? (When I was a child, we were told they kidnapped children and were very scared of them. Their caravans came into our area, instilling more fear.) So, get rid of them.

The Slavs: They were an obstacle to Hitler’s master plan as evidenced by his dismemberment of the Sudetenland. The only ally who vociferously condemned this was Sir Winston Churchill. The others thought, if they allowed this, Hitler would be satisfied. He wasn’t. The Nazis totally destroyed the village of Lidice. Males over 16 years old were murdered and others were sent to concentration camps where nearly all women and children were killed.

Then, Hitler went after the Jews, not knowing the global reaction would result in his downfall. Had he been successful, the Catholics would have been his next target.

Were the Burning Times a holocaust and genocide? I believe the facts speak for themselves.