In the city of Edinburgh during the tumultuous times of early 17th-century Scotland, Margaret Stewart, a widow, found herself accused of witchcraft. The available records refer to her as a “cramer,” suggesting that she was likely engaged in some kind of trading, possibly selling goods at local markets. Her life was forever altered on October 24, 1628, when she faced allegations serious enough to warrant the attention of the Presbytery of Edinburgh.
The records indicate that Margaret’s case was resolved by her choosing voluntary banishment rather than undergoing a secular trial, a decision that likely reflects the oppressive atmosphere surrounding witchcraft accusations at the time. This option, while avoiding the ordeal of a public trial and execution, was by no means lenient. Banishment meant being uprooted from her community and the life she knew in Edinburgh. Should she defy the conditions of her banishment and return to the presbytery, she faced the grim prospect of scourging and burning on the cheek, marking her permanently as a convicted witch.
Margaret’s banishment reflects the complex interplay between social, religious, and legal frameworks of early modern Scotland. By not progressing to a secular trial, her case remained within the ecclesiastical jurisdiction, highlighting the pervasive influence of the Church in adjudicating such matters. Her case underscores the precarious position of women, particularly widows, who navigated an era rife with suspicion and fear, where survival often necessitated difficult choices against a backdrop of harsh judicial practices.