In the year 1678, Agnes Thomson found her life entangled in the complex and often perilous world of early modern Scottish witch trials. Residing in the small settlement of Overkeith in the parish of Humbie, Haddington, Agnes was brought to the attention of the authorities under suspicion of witchcraft—a charge that would cast a long shadow over her life. The record of her case, denoted as C/EGD/623, marks a somber chapter in the history of witchcraft accusations in Scotland, reflecting the intense fear and superstition that permeated the time.
Agnes's trial was scheduled to take place on the 13th of September in 1678, in the bustling capital of Edinburgh, where the legal proceedings against alleged witches often culminated. However, the trial records reveal a significant twist in her story. On the day of her trial, Agnes did not appear before the court. Her absence led to the court declaring her a fugitive, and she was subsequently "put to the horn." This ancient Scottish legal term indicates that she was denounced publicly, and a horn was blown at market crosses to symbolize that she was an outlaw, with anyone permitted to apprehend her.
The declaration of Agnes Thomson as a fugitive highlights the precarious nature of life for those accused of witchcraft during this era. Whether driven by fear, a strategic choice, or other circumstances now lost to history, her decision not to attend her trial leaves her fate obscured, with no further details recorded. Her story stands as a poignant reminder of the wider societal tensions and the perilous position of women during the witch hunts in 17th century Scotland.