In the mid-17th century, the town of Queensferry in Linlithgow became the setting of numerous witch trials, reflective of the widespread fear and superstition of the time. Among the individuals caught in the fervor of these trials was Janet Mowbray. Janet, residing in this bustling port town along the Firth of Forth, found herself accused of witchcraft during a period when such charges could have grave consequences. The case against Janet was recorded under the case number C/EGD/2341, dated 1644. Despite the gravity of the accusations and the perilous nature of a witchcraft trial, the records reveal that Janet was ultimately acquitted of the charges leveled against her.
The details of Janet Mowbray's trial, noted under the trial number T/JO/521, merely confirm her acquittal without providing extensive insights into the proceedings themselves or the nature of her defense. However, the fact that she was acquitted suggests that either the evidence brought forth was insufficient to secure a conviction, or that Janet successfully countered the allegations during her trial. Given the era's tendency towards conviction in cases of alleged witchcraft, her acquittal stands out as an uncommon outcome. Janet Mowbray's experience is a poignant reminder of the climate of suspicion that enveloped communities during this time, as well as the resilience of those who navigated the treacherous landscape of early modern Scottish witchcraft trials.