Katharine Liddell, a widow residing in the coastal town of Saltpreston, Prestonpans, near Haddington, found herself embroiled in the tumultuous period of witch trials that swept through Scotland between 1563 and 1736. As a widow, Katharine would have occupied a precarious social position, with limited support. On the 13th of September in 1678, Katharine was summoned for trial under the accusations of witchcraft, a charge that bore grave consequences during a time marked by fear and superstition.
The records of Katharine’s trial, designated as case C/EGD/1763, detail the grueling process she endured. Among the methods of interrogation recorded was sleep deprivation, a common form of torture used to extract confessions from the accused in 17th century Scotland. This method left the accused in a state of extreme physical and mental distress, often leading to confessions that were later retracted. The precise duration of her ordeal is not documented; however, it is clear that such techniques were employed in July 1678, prior to her trial, emphasizing the intense pressure placed upon her.
Katharine's case exemplifies the harsh realities faced by many individuals during the Scottish witch trials. Her story, like many others, is a somber reminder of the societal conditions that allowed for such accusations to proliferate. The scant details that survive bear witness to a woman caught in a time of uncertainty and fear, providing us with a poignant glimpse into the lives of those accused of witchcraft in early modern Scotland.