In the late spring of 1597, Agnes Fren of Lumphanan, Aberdeen found herself embroiled in the turbulence of the Scottish witch trials. The records pertaining to her case, catalogued under C/JO/3095, provide a glimpse into the challenges she faced when accused of witchcraft, a grievous charge that during this period could lead to dire consequences. The particulars of her case pinpoint the date of concern to April 25, when authorities began formal proceedings against her, setting the stage for what would become an ordeal that tested the bounds of justice and societal norms of the time.
Agnes's trial, documented under T/JO/1512, centered around allegations that she had caused harm specifically to a dairy property. While the records do not elaborate on the nature or scope of the alleged damage, such accusations were not uncommon and could stem from crop failures, livestock disease, or spoiled goods—misfortunes often attributed to malevolent supernatural influences. The case against Agnes was thus vividly situated within a broader context of fear and superstition, where economically damaging misfortune was readily ascribed to witchcraft. In examining Agnes's story, we glimpse the precarious situation of many individuals living at the intersection of suspicion and the often inscrutable mechanisms of early modern justice.