Geilles Burnett, a resident of Aberdeen, emerged as a significant figure in the fraught landscape of the Scottish witch trials during the late 17th century. Twice widowed, Geilles faced the grim accusation of witchcraft, charged specifically with the deaths of her two husbands. This charge reflects a not uncommon suspicion towards women who, through widowhood, came to embody independence and resilience in a society rife with anxiety and superstition. On the 9th of May, 1671, Geilles stood trial in Aberdeen, an event that would have gripped the local community, already steeped in the fear of the supernatural and the perceived dangers posed by those thought to wield malevolent forces.
The trial's proceedings, dated the same day, ended with a verdict of not guilty, a rare outcome in such cases where the evidence, often circumstantial or based on hearsay, led to many unfortunate conclusions of guilt. Geilles's acquittal suggests a lack of credible evidence or perhaps a successful defense against the charges, which often involved proving that accusations were fueled by personal vendettas or societal biases against independent women. Despite her acquittal, Geilles’s name appeared in the testimonies of other trials. Margaret Abernethy and Issobell Spens, during their own ordeals, implicated Geilles as an accomplice, further entangling her in the web of accusations and community suspicions that characterized this tumultuous period.
This intertwined network of accusations paints a vivid picture of the perilous climate in which these events unfolded. The accusations against Geilles by others such as Abernethy and Spens reflect a landscape where accusations of witchcraft spread through communities, often linking individuals irrespective of substantial proof. Geilles Burnett’s story, preserved in these records, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal tragedies and societal dynamics at play during Scotland's era of witch hunts, a period marked by fear, uncertainty, and the harsh judgements faced by many like Geilles who lived outside the conventional norms of their time.