In the autumn of 1661, Helen Belshes found herself at the center of a tumultuous period in Scottish history, as she stood accused of witchcraft in the small, yet significant, border town of Berwick. The timing was particularly precarious, situated amidst a heightened era of witch trials sweeping through Scotland, driven by societal fears and religious fervor. Though the historical records provide limited details, they reveal that Helen's situation became severe enough to warrant the formal attention of a number of commissioners, some of whom originated from Eyemouth—a nearby coastal town. This connection suggests she might have ties to Eyemouth, though her primary residence was recorded as Berwick.
By November of 1661, Helen had recorded a confession, a pivotal piece of evidence in trials of this nature, given the weight such statements carried in legal proceedings. The specifics of her confession, unfortunately, have been lost to history, leaving an opaque glimpse into the circumstances she faced. Her confession, dated simply as November 1661, suggests some form of pressure or persuasion that led her to admit to the accusations against her, a common plight shared by many during the witch trials of the era.
While the trial notes themselves fail to reveal further details about her trial or its outcome, Helen Belshes's story remains emblematic of the perilous climate of 17th-century Scotland. The absence of an extensive trial record is not unusual, as many such cases were subject to swift conclusions, reflecting the urgency and gravity with which they were treated. Helen’s narrative, preserved in fragments, echoes the broader narrative of women's lives caught in the crosshairs of quelling fear and uncertainty that characterized the witch trials in early modern Scotland.