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Agnes Finnie facts for kids

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Edinburgh Castle 07
The Witch's Well on the Royal Mile remembers the many people accused of witchcraft in Edinburgh.

Agnes Finnie was an Edinburgh shopkeeper who lived a long time ago. She is known because she was accused of witchcraft and sadly executed on March 6, 1645. This was a time when many people believed in witchcraft, and accusations were common.

Who Was Agnes Finnie?

Agnes Finnie was a widow, meaning her husband had passed away. She ran a small shop in a part of Edinburgh called Potterrow. In her shop, she sold everyday items like fish and cakes to people in her neighbourhood.

Life in Her Community

Agnes had a reputation for being quite outspoken. Some people in her neighbourhood said she would often curse or say mean things to them when she was upset. This made some neighbours wary of her.

Accused of Witchcraft

In June 1644, Agnes Finnie was arrested. She faced many accusations, specifically 20 different charges related to witchcraft and sorcery. People accused her of using magic to cause problems for her neighbours.

Her trial took place on December 20, 1644. After the trial, she was executed on Castle Hill in Edinburgh on Thursday, March 6, 1645.

A Later Effort for Justice

Many years later, in 2008, Agnes Finnie's name was part of a special request. Her name, along with thousands of others, was presented to the Scottish Parliament. This request asked for a "posthumous pardon." A posthumous pardon means asking for forgiveness or clearing someone's name after they have died. This effort aimed to acknowledge the unfairness of past witchcraft trials.

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