Jane Weir facts for kids

Jane Weir or Jean Weir (died 1670) was a Scottish woman who was executed for witchcraft.

Jane Weir was born near Carluke in Lanarkshire, Scotland. Her brother, Thomas Weir, was a very religious Protestant. People respected him because of his prayers. Many visitors came to his home in Edinburgh to see him.

The Confession and Arrest

In 1670, after Thomas Weir retired, he became ill. He started to confess that he had done many wrong things in secret. At first, the Lord Provost (a high-ranking official) did not believe him. He thought the confession was too strange.

But eventually, Thomas Weir and his sister, Jane Weir, were taken to the Edinburgh Tolbooth. This was a famous prison and court building. They were questioned there. Thomas Weir, who was in his seventies, kept adding more details to his confession. Jane Weir also told an even more unusual story about witchcraft and magic.

The Trial and Accusations

The trial for Jane Weir began on April 9, 1670. During the trial, Jane Weir confessed to several things. She said that their mother had been a witch. She also claimed that their mother had taught her and her brother about witchcraft.

Jane Weir also made other strange claims. She said that her brother, Thomas, had a special mark on his body. This mark was believed to be a sign of evil. She also claimed that she and her brother often traveled across the countryside in a magical, fiery coach.