In the early spring of 1629, amid the tightly knit community of Lilliesleaf in Selkirk, a woman by the name of Janet Hendersoun found herself at the centre of a witchcraft trial. On February 24th of that year, she was formally accused, an event officially recorded under the case number C/EGD/1088. The small village atmosphere, often steeped in superstition and communal tensions, served as the backdrop for Janet's trials. As was customary in these times, trials for witchcraft often involved a series of testimonies and evidences that painted a grim picture for the accused.
Janet’s trial, documented under T/LA/653, unfolded against a backdrop of early modern Scotland’s increasingly fervent pursuit to root out witchcraft, driven by a mixture of religious zeal and societal anxiety. In a society governed by the Calvinist beliefs of the Reformation, accusations could stem from various suspicions, whether personal vendettas, misfortunes attributed to malefice, or fears of the supernatural. The trial proceedings likely included rigorous questioning, reliance on witness testimonies, and possibly even physical examinations, as was routine in such cases. While the specifics of the evidence presented against her are unrecorded, the very fact of the trial implies significant fear or unease in the community.
Janet Hendersoun’s story is a poignant reminder of the precarious position many found themselves in during Scotland's witch hunt era. This period, spanning from 1563 to 1736, saw thousands accused under the Witchcraft Act of 1563. Janet’s experience reflects a broader historical narrative in which belief and suspicion could swiftly escalate to legal action, forever altering the lives of those accused. While the records do not provide a conclusion to her trial, Janet’s confrontation with the legal system of the time underscores the era’s intersection of fear, religion, and law.