Bessie Stivenson

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Bessie Stivenson
Bornc.1610?
Died1659
Stirling, Scotland
Cause of deathCapital punishment (strangled and burnt)

Bessie Stivenson or Bessie Stevenson (c.1610? to 1659) was executed for witchcraft in Stirling, Scotland in the 17th century.

Biography

Bessie Stivenson was tried on witchcraft-related charges in March 1659, alongside two other Stirling women, Magdalene Blair and Isobel Bennet, for using charms to cure illness. [1] [2] [3] She was a widow and thought to be around 49 years old at the time of the trial. [4]

The door to the well at Wellgreen, Stirling. The eponymous well at Wellgreen.jpg
The door to the well at Wellgreen, Stirling.

Stivenson confessed to healing with deeds at a local well (Wellgreen), but denied using words. [3] She was found guilty and sentenced to death. She was strangled and burnt. [1]

References

  1. 1 2 Harrison, John G. (1998). "Women and the Branks in Stirling, c.1600 to c.1730" . Scottish Economic & Social History. 18 (2): 114–131. doi:10.3366/sesh.1998.18.2.114. ISSN   0269-5030.
  2. ↑ Larner, Christina; Lee, Christopher Hyde; MacLachlan, Hugh V. (1977). A source-book of Scottish witchcraft: Comp. by Christina Larner, Christopher Hyde Lee und Hugh V. M[a]cLachlan. Glasgow: SSRC Project on Accusations and Prosecutions for Witchcraft in Scotland. ISBN   978-0-85261-145-6.
  3. 1 2 Goodare, Julian; Yeoman, Louise; Martin, Lauren; Miller, Joyce (2010). "The trial of Bessie Stevenson". Trial Details - T/LA/1130 Bessie Stevenson. doi:10.7488/ds/100 . Retrieved 28 July 2023.
  4. ↑ Goodare, Julian; Yeoman, Louise; Martin, Lauren; Miller, Joyce (2010). ""the details of the accused"". The Survey of Scottish Witchcraft: Accused Details A/EGD/306. doi:10.7488/ds/100 . Retrieved 28 July 2023.
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