In the autumn of 1662, the small town of Lauder in Berwickshire became the focus of a witchcraft trial involving a resident named Masie Robison, occasionally recorded under the surname Robertson. Masie found herself ensnared in the fervor that characterized the witch trials of early modern Scotland, a period marked by suspicion and fear that often fell heavily upon women like her.
The specifics of Masie's trial remain shrouded, with trial records under code T/JO/953 offering no detailed insights into the proceedings themselves. However, it is documented that Masie provided a confession in September of 1662, a month that evidently marked a significant turning point in her life. The historical backdrop hints at the likely pressures she faced, as confessions during this era were often extracted under duress or threats—a common narrative in witch trials of the 17th century.
The records do not reveal the content of Masie's confession, but the fact that she confessed speaks to the fraught circumstances of her time. The nature of her case, noted under code C/EGD/1555, aligns with a pattern where accusations could lead to life-altering, even life-ending consequences. Though the details remain scant, Masie’s story is a poignant reminder of the tumultuous period in Scotland's history and the individuals swept along by the surge of witch-hunts during the 1563–1736 era.