The marriage of King James VI of Scotland to Anne of Denmark in 1589 had unexpected and deadly consequences, according to new historical research. What began as a royal union descended into one of Scotland's darkest periods - the brutal witch trials that saw hundreds of women burned alive.
The Royal Wedding That Changed Scotland
When the 23-year-old King sailed to Oslo to marry 14-year-old Princess Anne, little did Scotland know this union would unleash a wave of terror. After their return voyage was plagued by violent storms, James became convinced witchcraft was to blame - sparking his lifelong obsession with witch hunting.
A King's Dangerous Obsession
James's paranoia grew so intense that he personally supervised torture sessions of accused witches and even authored Daemonologie, a book promoting witch persecution. "The king's marriage marked a turning point," explains historian Dr. Alison Pearson. "His personal involvement escalated the trials from sporadic cases to systematic persecution."
The Burning Times
Between 1590 and 1592, Scotland witnessed its most intense witch hunts:
- Over 400 people accused of witchcraft
- At least 200 executed, mostly by burning
- 80% of victims were women
- Many confessions obtained through torture
The North Berwick trials became particularly notorious, with dozens burned after being accused of conspiring to sink the royal ship. One victim, Agnes Sampson, was tortured with a "witch's bridle" before being strangled and burned.
A Legacy of Terror
While the trials eventually subsided, James's influence spread south when he became James I of England in 1603. His writings helped inspire the infamous Pendle witch trials and even influenced the Salem witch hunts in America.
Modern historians now view this period as a cautionary tale about how royal paranoia and religious extremism can lead to mass hysteria and tragic injustice.
