In the small Scottish town of Lauder in Berwick, during the autumn of 1662, an event unfolded that echoed the reigning anxiety of the era—the trial of one Masie Robison, occasionally noted in records as Masie Robertson. Accused of witchcraft, Masie found herself embroiled in a legal process emblematic of the broader witch-hunting fervor sweeping through Scotland during this period. The trial, recorded under the case number T/JO/953, unfortunately leaves us with scant details. What remains accessible reflects the barest glimpse into the treatment of those caught in the web of suspicion and superstition that characterized these times.
Masie’s ordeal is principally marked by a significant moment—the recording of her confession in September 1662. The absence of trial specifics leaves many aspects of her story obscured by time, such as the circumstances leading to her accusation and the nature of her confession. Whether given under duress or voluntarily, this confession played a pivotal role in her trial, as was common in witchcraft proceedings of the era. Through the survival of these sparse records, we sense the isolation Masie must have faced. Living in a community where fear of witchcraft permeated, she became one of countless individuals whose lives were irrevocably altered by these anxieties.
Masie Robison’s case, while lacking in granular detail, represents the broader historical narrative of witch trials in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. This specific era witnessed intense scrutiny and persecution, fueled by societal and political pressures that transcended individual cases. Her story contributes to the understanding of how witchcraft was perceived and prosecuted across Scotland, reflecting the wider pattern of fear and suspicion that influenced early modern Scottish life.