After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Last Witch of Scotland
Oct 23, 2023
Explore the haunting tale of Janet Horne, the last woman executed for witchcraft in Britain. Delve into the murky details of her trial in 1727 and the societal biases at play. Discover the dubious nature of historical records and how myths have evolved over time. Learn about the grim execution methods and the demographics of those accused. Reflect on contemporary efforts to memorialize victims and question the authenticity of memorials. Unravel the uncertainties surrounding Horne's identity and why her story remains so intriguing.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
18th-Century Accounts Carry Bias
- Edmund Burt's 1755 report is brief and intended for a London audience with anti-Highland bias.
- Maddy Pelling argues his account frames the Highlands as backward to a metropolitan readership.
Accused Numbers And Gender Patterns
- The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft records 3,837 accused between 1563 and 1736, correcting myths of vastly larger numbers.
- The dataset reveals 84% of the accused were women and 15% were men, showing gendered patterns.
Who Became Accused And Why
- Accusations often targeted marginalized women, with many accused under 40 and a peak between 50–60.
- Maddy links age, menopause, and social marginalization to vulnerability in witchcraft accusations.
