After what probably amounted to a fall out with some local people in her village, LILIAS was arrested as being a witch. After some days of being imprisoned, she confessed under torture to being a witch and of having had sex with the Devil. She died in prison while awaiting execution (by burning at the stake). Said to have been aged around 70 years old, and may have killed herself while in prison, rather than suffer the awful death by burned alive.
She was buried on the shore of Tonneyburn coastline, as was common practise for suicides at that time. They could not have a burial in consecrated ground and since she had also confessed to being a witch, she was buried on the shore and had a large stone slab placed on top of her. This was believed by local people to stop the dead witches from rising from their graves and causing mayhem and releasing evil.
Sometimes during the 19th century, her body was dug up and parts of it sold to antiquarians. Her skull was sold to St. Andrew's University Museum, where it was on display for some time. It was lost sometime during the 20th century and todate it has not been recovered.
From photographs taken of the skull around the turn of the 20th century, forensic scientists have digitally recreated her face. Her story and that of other women accused of witchcraft continues to fascinate.
She was buried on the shore of Tonneyburn coastline, as was common practise for suicides at that time. They could not have a burial in consecrated ground and since she had also confessed to being a witch, she was buried on the shore and had a large stone slab placed on top of her. This was believed by local people to stop the dead witches from rising from their graves and causing mayhem and releasing evil.
Sometimes during the 19th century, her body was dug up and parts of it sold to antiquarians. Her skull was sold to St. Andrew's University Museum, where it was on display for some time. It was lost sometime during the 20th century and todate it has not been recovered.
From photographs taken of the skull around the turn of the 20th century, forensic scientists have digitally recreated her face. Her story and that of other women accused of witchcraft continues to fascinate.
After what probably amounted to a fall out with some local people in her village, LILIAS was arrested as being a witch. After some days of being imprisoned, she confessed under torture to being a witch and of having had sex with the Devil. She died in prison while awaiting execution (by burning at the stake). Said to have been aged around 70 years old, and may have killed herself while in prison, rather than suffer the awful death by burned alive.
She was buried on the shore of Tonneyburn coastline, as was common practise for suicides at that time. They could not have a burial in consecrated ground and since she had also confessed to being a witch, she was buried on the shore and had a large stone slab placed on top of her. This was believed by local people to stop the dead witches from rising from their graves and causing mayhem and releasing evil.
Sometimes during the 19th century, her body was dug up and parts of it sold to antiquarians. Her skull was sold to St. Andrew's University Museum, where it was on display for some time. It was lost sometime during the 20th century and todate it has not been recovered.
From photographs taken of the skull around the turn of the 20th century, forensic scientists have digitally recreated her face. Her story and that of other women accused of witchcraft continues to fascinate.
She was buried on the shore of Tonneyburn coastline, as was common practise for suicides at that time. They could not have a burial in consecrated ground and since she had also confessed to being a witch, she was buried on the shore and had a large stone slab placed on top of her. This was believed by local people to stop the dead witches from rising from their graves and causing mayhem and releasing evil.
Sometimes during the 19th century, her body was dug up and parts of it sold to antiquarians. Her skull was sold to St. Andrew's University Museum, where it was on display for some time. It was lost sometime during the 20th century and todate it has not been recovered.
From photographs taken of the skull around the turn of the 20th century, forensic scientists have digitally recreated her face. Her story and that of other women accused of witchcraft continues to fascinate.
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