Barbara Erskyne, a resident of Cambus in Alloa, Clackmannan, found herself entangled in the fervent witchcraft trials that swept through Scotland during the 16th and 17th centuries. On the 23rd of March, 1659, Barbara stood trial in Stirling, accused of witchcraft, a charge that brought fear and unease to the community around her. This particular case, recorded under the reference C/EGD/355, sheds light on the fraught atmosphere of the time and the challenges faced by those accused.
The trial records, noted under T/LA/1133, show that Barbara Erskyne was found guilty of witchcraft. Specific details leading to her conviction aren't extensively documented in the available records, but the fact that she confessed—a burdensome confession recorded without a specific date—played a significant role in the outcome of her trial. Confessions during this period were often obtained under duress, yet they nonetheless held substantial weight in the eyes of the judiciary.
Barbara's trial was part of a broader sweep across the North circuit of the justice courts, even though her case was bound with the South and West circuit sections, indicating logistical complexities in the administration of such trials. The era's societal fear of witchcraft and the legal processes in place formed a potent combination that led to severe repercussions for many individuals like Barbara. Her story is a testament to the period's turbulent intersection of superstition, fear, and judicial proceedings.