Janet Boyman, a married woman residing in the Cowgate of Edinburgh, found herself at the centre of a formal legal proceeding in the late sixteenth century. While historical interpretations of her origins have been divided—with some scholars associating her with Ayrshire and others specifically citing her presence in the capital—the judicial records definitively place her within the jurisdiction of Edinburgh by the close of 1572. Her life, though briefly documented, became a matter of state concern during this period of intensifying legal focus on the crime of witchcraft.
On 29 December 1572, Janet appeared before the court to face charges pertaining to her alleged involvement in illicit occult activities. The legal process concluded with a verdict of guilty, leading to the final pronouncement of the court. Following the trial, Janet was sentenced to execution, marking the formal end of her case in the judicial archives of the period.