Agnes Sampson was a midwife and local cunning woman in a small village in Scotland at the end of the 16th century when she was accused of practicing witchcraft and conspiring with the devil. After extreme torture, she confessed to 53 indictments against her -- including a plot to assassinate King James VI.

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<p>Agnes Sampson was a midwife and local cunning woman in a small village in Scotland at the end of the 16th century when she was accused of practicing witchcraft and conspiring with the devil. After extreme torture, she confessed to 53 indictments against her -- including a plot to assassinate King James VI.</p><p> </p> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>

Humans have always committed crimes. What can we learn from the criminals and crimes of the past, and have humans gotten better or worse over time?

Criminalia

A local bailiff named David Seton became suspicious of a young woman named Geillis Duncan because he thought she was in league with the devil. Her interrogation and torture-driven confession are considered to be what ignited the North Berwick witch trials, and led to the execution of Agnes Sampson.

Agnes Sampson and the Plot to Assassinate the King

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/776f2e03-4543-4618-9b21-ae59007f407a/transcript

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