In the tapestry of 17th-century Scottish history, the tale of Geilles Burnett emerges as a poignant reminder of the era's pervasive fear and suspicion. Geilles, a widowed resident of Aberdeen, was twice bereaved of her husbands under mysterious circumstances, which inevitably cast a shadow of suspicion upon her character. Historical records reveal that on May 9, 1671, Geilles stood trial in Aberdeen, accused of engaging in the dark arts to orchestrate the deaths of her two spouses. The gravity of such accusations during this tumultuous period cannot be overstated, as they often reflected societal anxieties about the uncontrollable forces thought to permeate the natural and supernatural realms.
Her trial, catalogued under record T/LA/1153, resulted in a verdict of "Not Guilty." Despite this legal exoneration, the stain of association with witchcraft likely lingered over her life. Geilles Burnett's case is further complicated by mentions in other trials; she was named an accomplice in the cases of Margaret Abernethy and Issobell Spens. Whether these references were attempts to strengthen accusations against her or simply reflections of communal tensions remains unspecified by the records. Yet, the verdict handed down by the Aberdeen court served momentarily to spare her from the tragic fates that befell many accused witches of her time. In examining the fragments of Geilles's story, we gain insight into the precarious existence of women in early modern Scotland, where rumors could swiftly escalate into life-threatening allegations.