As we delve into the historical records of 17th-century Gasgow, a disturbing picture emerges of a society dominated by patriarchal values, where women were subject to severe repression and control. The Kirk Session, a body comprising magistrates and ministers, wielded considerable power, imposing strict rules and punishments on women who dared to defy their authority. The consequences of non-compliance were severe, with women facing fines, public rebukes, and even physical punishment.
On one hand, these records may seem like isolated incidents, relics of a bygone era. However, when examined in the context of Glasgow/Scotland's witch hunts, they reveal a disturbing pattern of misogyny and oppression that pervaded the society. Women were disproportionately targeted during the witch hunts, facing brutal torture, persecution, and execution. The Witchcraft Act of 1563, which made witchcraft a capital offence, was the catalyst for this period of terror, which lasted for over a century.
Historians have often sought to explain the witch hunts as a phenomenon driven by factors such as ignorance, superstition, or social and economic upheaval. However, by ignoring the elephant in the room – the systemic oppression of women – such explanations ring hollow. It is only when we acknowledge the deep-seated misogyny that infected Scottish society that we can begin to understand the scale and brutality of the witch hunts.
The latest research suggests that between 1,337 and 1,637 women were executed during this period, although the true figure may never be known. While numbers can be a useful yardstick, they do not convey the full horror of what transpired. The memories of burning flesh, the anguish of those wrongly accused, and the silence of those who enabled these atrocities continue to haunt us to this day.
In a society where women were treated as second-class citizens, subject to arbitrary control and punishment, the witch hunts were not an aberration but a logical extension of these attitudes. The Glasgow/Scottish witch hunts were a manifestation of a culture that had no qualms about persecuting, torturing, and killing women who refused to conform.
As we reflect on this dark chapter in history, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging the past and learning from our mistakes. Only by confronting the dark legacy of misogyny can we hope to create a more equitable and just society, where the rights of all individuals are valued and protected.
No spam or ads, just the latest posts and updates from Scotland's newest pro-independence blog.
.png)
