Marie Lamont facts for kids

Marie Lamont (1646–1662) was a young Scottish girl who was accused of witchcraft. She was executed in 1662, during the time of King Charles II. Her case was unusual because she was so young when she was put to death.

Marie Lamont's Story

Marie Lamont lived in a place called Inverkip, which was a village in Scotland. Between 1640 and 1690, many people in this area were accused of being witches. When Marie was very young, she was also accused. After she confessed, she was put on trial on May 7, 1662.

Witchcraft Trials in Scotland

In the 1600s, many people in Scotland believed in witchcraft. There was a law called the Witchcraft Act of 1563 that made practicing witchcraft a serious crime, punishable by death. Most people accused of witchcraft were women. They were often described as being outspoken or not showing enough respect to people in power.

By the time Marie Lamont had her trial, the rules for accusing someone of witchcraft were supposed to be stricter. The government said that any confession had to be made freely, without force. Also, they added a rule in 1661 that the accused person had to be "of complete age." This meant they should be an adult. They also said the person needed to be of "sound mind." However, local officials sometimes ignored these new rules.

Her Confession and Execution

Marie's trial happened in her local area and lasted only one day. She said that she became a witch when she was 13 years old. She claimed that another woman, Catherine Scott, influenced her. Marie confessed that she had given up her Christian faith and was "baptized" by the devil, who supposedly renamed her "Clowts."

Marie also claimed she met with the devil and other people at a place called Ardgowan. She said the devil appeared as a black man with cloven feet. They were told to gather sand from the shore and scatter it around the gates of Ardgowan and the minister's house.

She was also accused of changing into a cat and stealing milk using magic. She described a special way to do this, using a rope made of cow hair and saying certain words. Marie also confessed to dancing around the Kempock Stone with others. She said they tried to throw the stone into the sea to sink ships in the nearby Firth of Clyde.

The Kempock Stone in Gourock, Scotland, with the Firth of Clyde behind it.

On the same day as Marie's trial, five other women were also tried for witchcraft. Their names were Margaret Duff, Jonet Hynman, Margret Letch, Margret Rankin, and Kathrin Scott.

Marie Lamont was executed in 1662. It is thought that she was put to death outside the old church in Inverkip.