The North Berwick Witch Trials

In 1590, King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) became convinced that witches were trying to kill him. Over 70 people were accused of raising storms to sink his ship, performing dark rituals at North Berwick Church, and plotting regicide. Torture produced elaborate confessions. Many died. James's paranoia birthed his book Daemonologie and fueled centuries of witch hunts.