In the early months of 1629, amidst the harsh and unyielding Scottish winter, the village of Lilliesleaf in Selkirk found itself caught in the web of a witchcraft trial, a not uncommon occurrence during this tumultuous period. Central to these proceedings was a woman named Janet Hendersoun, whose life would have until then mirrored that of many women of her time—hardworking, community-oriented, and shaped by the rhythms of agrarian life. Her residence, Lilliesleaf, was typical of the Scottish Lowlands, a small and tightly-knit community where whispers could easily flourish into accusations.
The trial of Janet Hendersoun, officially recorded under case C/EGD/1088 and trial document T/LA/653, commenced on the 24th of February, 1629. Details of the accusations, as was common, are sparse, yet they echo the societal fears and fervent religiosity that characterized the era. In this particular case, Janet's life became a focal point for anxieties about the supernatural, health, and unexplained misfortunes. The records serve as a stark reminder of how communities, beset by the uncertainties of the early 17th century, could attribute everyday hardships to dark forces.
Janet’s case, like many others, highlights the precarious position of women in this period who lived under the constant shadow of suspicion and fear. The historical documents capture Janet’s entanglement in a legal system that, guided by fervency both secular and religious, often sought out scapegoats for misfortune through the lens of witchcraft. Though specific details of the trial's outcome remain unelaborated in the surviving records, Janet Hendersoun's experience is emblematic of the countless others whose lives and reputations were indelibly marked by such trials before the Witchcraft Act eventually saw repeal in 1736.