Agnes Sampsoune, a widow residing in Nether Keith, Edinburgh, became one of the notable figures in the Scottish witch trials of the late 16th century, particularly during a time when fear and suspicion engulfed many communities. On January 21, 1591, Agnes was brought to trial in Edinburgh, accused of practicing maleficium, or harmful magic, and attending witches' gatherings—a charge that resonated with deep-seated fears of the supernatural. The breadth of her alleged activities was extensive, consisting of 102 items in her dittay, or indictment, to which she purportedly confessed to 58. The severity of the charges culminated in a guilty verdict, leading to her execution merely a week later on January 28, 1591.
Agnes’s case is further notable for the network of alleged accomplices that surfaced during her trial; she was mentioned as a cohort by numerous others, including Marioun Linkup and Jonet Gaw, among over fifty names in total. This extensive list not only paints a picture of the intricate social web within which accusations could spread, but also highlights the communal nature of these trials, where one accusation could ensnare many. The charges brought against this circle often involved tales of supernatural gatherings and mutual participation in unlawful acts, casting a broad net of guilt by association.
Agnes's demise on Castle Hill, carried out by strangulation followed by burning, was recorded in the State papers; a grim testament to the era's judiciary and the harsh consequences faced by those condemned as witches. It is noted that she died penitent, having prayed to God for her salvation. This final act adds a poignant dimension to her story, reflecting the complex interplay between personal faith and societal condemnation in the fraught world of early modern Scotland.