In the early 17th century, amidst the pervasive tensions and uncertainties that gripped Scotland, Janet Boyd found herself under the shadow of a witchcraft accusation. Residing in the coastal town of Prestonpans in Haddington, Janet was drawn into the web of witch trials that characterized the era between 1563 and 1736. The precise circumstances leading to her accusation are not preserved in the records, but her case, registered on the 8th of August, 1628, became a matter of legal scrutiny as it unfolded.
The trial of Janet Boyd is documented under trial number T/LA/501. During her examination, Janet's confession was officially recorded, a common component of such trials which often came under duress or extreme pressure, reflecting the era's brutal legal proceedings. This confession, while critical to the trial's process, is the sole piece of evidence firmly linking Janet to the charges she faced. The confession’s contents remain unspecified in the extant records, but its existence indicates that Janet's narrative was deemed significant enough to be documented as part of the formal judicial process against her. Her case, like many others of the time, reflects the complex social and legal dynamics that fueled the witch trials during this fraught period in Scottish history.