In the austere and deeply religious society of 17th-century Scotland, Janet Douglas, a resident of the bustling burgh of Canongate, Edinburgh, became ensnared in the oppressive wave of witch trials sweeping the nation. Records from March 30, 1679, recount that Janet faced accusations of witchcraft, a charge that carried with it a heavy burden of fear and superstition. Details of her alleged offenses remain obscured in the historical record, but the consequence of her trial was not execution, which was not uncommon during this period, but an order for banishment.
Banishment, while less terminal than execution, was a severe punishment as it uprooted individuals from their communities, stripping them of their social and economic supports. This sentence indicates that the court had found some measure of culpability; however, the absence of specifics in the trial notes leaves a significant gap in our understanding of Janet’s particular circumstances and the nature of the allegations she faced. Upon receiving this sentence, Janet's life would have irrevocably changed, as banishment often necessitated seeking refuge in an unfamiliar land, isolated from friends and family, and stigmatized by the taint of witchcraft accusations.