James Metcalfe
Paranoia surrounding the pagan world reached its peak at the turn of the 1600s and following a treacherous storm that hit King James I’ ship on its way back to Scotland, an inquest was carried in North Berwick to root out those who were believed to be involved in witchcraft. Agnes Sampson was a renowned and famous healer in the region at the time and was the biggest prize of the seventy or so women hunted out by the inquest. Despite her probable innocence, the days of harsh torturing led to Sampson’s ‘confession’ and she was burned at the stake for her crimes.
