James VI and the witch trials

This episode contains descriptions of violence that may not be suitable for all listeners.

In this week’s episode, Jackie is joined by historian Steven Veerapen to discuss the role James VI played in Scotland’s witch trials.

Between the late 16th and mid-17th centuries, an estimated 4,000 to 6,000 people – most of whom were women – were tried for witchcraft, with around 1,500 executed as a result of the trials.

King James VI played a leading role in the trials, writing a detailed dissertation on the subject of witchcraft that encouraged and endorsed the practice of witch hunting.

You can read our 2021 study into the connections between Trust places and the witch trials here.

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