Agnes Robesoun, a woman of landless status and identified as a vagabond, resided in the Scottish town of Peebles during the early 17th century. The historical context of her existence highlights the vulnerability faced by women like Agnes, who, without land or a steady form of employment, navigated the challenges of a transient lifestyle. Agnes's life took a pivotal turn when she became embroiled in proceedings related to accusations of witchcraft, a fate not uncommon in a period marked by fear and superstition.
The recorded details regarding Agnes’s trial in Peebles on the 11th of June, 1629, are sparse. The historical record, identified as C/EGD/655, lacks detailed accounts of the charges against her, the nature of the evidence presented, or the arguments made during her hearing. This omission reflects a broader trend in how many such cases were documented during this era, where the biases and fears underpinning the witch trials often led to cursory documentation and, occasionally, miscarriage of justice.
The lack of detailed trial notes, indicated under T/JO/557, leaves significant gaps in the specifics of Agnes’s trial outcomes or her subsequent fate. Unfortunately, such an absence limits our understanding not only of her personal story but also of the communal dynamics that might have influenced her accusation. Still, Agnes Robesoun's story remains a poignant example of the precarious existence faced by the landless and the social vulnerabilities that were often exploited during one of Scotland’s most infamous historical periods.