During the late 16th Century King James I was caught in a storm while sailing back to England, and during a time of poor weather, religious fervour and fear this was decreed an attempt on the king’s life by witches. The North Berwick witch trials involved over 70 people, resulting in the execution of accused witches.

Agnes Sampson was a wise woman, well regarded within her community, and a knowledge of medicine she used to help women during childbirth.

Little is known of her life, she had a daughter and potentially other children. It is assumed she was a widow.

But we know of her death, she was tried and executed as a witch for treason.

This is a visual retelling of her story capturing the fantastical nature of the time periods’ beliefs. While also paying tribute to the brutal lived reality of the women who fell victim to those beliefs.