A History of Scottish Witches: The Devil's Handmaidens

By Mary W Craig

Examines Scotland's witch persecutions, societal fears, and Devil-driven trials from 1563-1736.

A History of Scottish Witches: The Devil's Handmaidens explores the phenomenon of witch persecution in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. Looking at the influence of the likes of John Knox and James VI of Scotland, this book examines the magic and fairy beliefs that underlay witchcraft and how this became twisted by the Scottish Kirk's obsession with the Devil.

Using examples from actual trial records and so-called witch confessions, this book explores how societal norms surrounding women caused so many to face the rope and the flames and how those norms were exacerbated by the chaos of the reformation and the wars of the Three Kingdoms. How did the magical beliefs of ordinary people become twisted into Devil worship? And why did so many come to believe this? How did the Scottish church and the courts fall into a frenzy of belief that the Devil was around every corner, causing terror across Lowland Scotland, and how did they extract themselves from that frenzy?

Finally, the book looks at how this period of persecution affected the ordinary people of Scotland and what lessons it might hold for today.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1036106314
• ISBN13: 9781036106317
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Pen and Sword History
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.1" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Excellent historical research but academic leaning

A History of Scottish Witches is a rigorously researched and authoritative examination of Scotland’s witch trials, with particular attention to the gendered impact of persecution. Mary Craig’s expertise is evident throughout, and the book offers a meticulous accounting of legal frameworks, key figures, and historical timelines. However, the approach is firmly academic in tone and structure. The dense accumulation of names, dates, and judicial detail often reads more like a traditional history textbook than narrative nonfiction, occasionally obscuring the human stories at the center of the tragedy. Readers seeking a comprehensive, scholarly overview of Scottish witchcraft history will find much to value here, while those hoping for a more immersive or story-driven exploration may find the pacing and structure challenging. Best suited to academic collections and readers with a strong interest in historical legal studies.