In the mid-17th century, Janet Carnecroce found herself embroiled in one of the dark chapters of Scottish history—the witch trials. Residing in the quiet parish of Lystoun in Humbie, Haddington, her life took a tumultuous turn when she became one of several individuals accused of witchcraft in 1649. Janet’s case is recorded among five others from Humbie, suggesting a concentrated wave of accusations in that community during a period of pervasive fear and suspicion.
What little we know about Janet’s trial stems from a single document that conveys her involvement but fails to elaborate on the specifics of the charges she faced. However, a critical piece of information lies in the confession records dated the 15th of August, 1649. The existence of such a record indicates that Janet was compelled, under circumstances lost to us but typical of the era, to confess to acts of witchcraft—a common outcome in the inquisitorial processes of the time, though the details of her confession remain undocumented.
Janet's trial, listed under trial notes with no accompanying details, reflects the opacity and often perfunctory nature of these proceedings. The absence of further records or notes about her life and the specific accusations against her paints a stark picture of the tumult that individuals like Janet faced during witch-hunt paranoia. Though the historical records are scant, they underscore the trials’ role in shaping the lives of those entangled in their web, highlighting the harsh realities of 17th-century Scotland’s societal fears and legal practices.