In the historical records of the Scottish witch trials, Janet Cock of Dalkeith emerges as a notable figure. At the age of 49, Janet found herself embroiled in a harrowing legal odyssey spanning two trials within the year 1661. Initially accused of associating with witches and attending witches' meetings—a charge that could stem from long-standing community disputes as the records suggest—Janet faced her first trial in September. Despite being acquitted, likely due in part to a favourable jury composition primarily from Edinburgh, Janet was not released from custody. The continued hostility towards her was palpable and ominous, as indicated by the persistent accusations against her despite the verdict of not guilty.
Janet's plight took a dire turn in her second trial held in November of the same year. Records reflect that this trial ended in a conviction, fundamentally altered by the composition of the jury, which shifted slightly to favour Dalkeith residents who may have been influenced by prevailing local sentiments. This swing in local representation perhaps sealed Janet's fate, as this time she was found guilty. The proceedings following her conviction were swift and final; a sentence of execution was pronounced just a day after the verdict. Janet was accused of causing property damage and harming animals and her reputation had been under scrutiny for over two decades, likely entrenching local biases against her.
Though Janet Cock's specific actions remain unclear beyond accusations of witchcraft and malevolent associations, her trials underscore the precarious nature of justice in 17th century Scotland. The woeful circumstances leading to her execution on the 26th of November, by strangulation and burning, illustrate the severe measures taken during this turbulent period in Scottish history. The records paint a stark picture of how a single shift in jury composition could drastically alter a person's destiny, and remind us of the pervasive fear and suspicion driving the witch trials of that era.