In December 1587, the burgh records of Ayr document the final days of an unnamed woman from the parish of Barnweill who had been accused of witchcraft. While the judicial proceedings leading to her conviction remain silent regarding the specific nature of her alleged crimes, the meticulous accounting of her imprisonment provides a stark glimpse into the administrative logistics of a sixteenth-century execution. During her time in custody, she was maintained by the local authorities, who provided for her basic needs, including food and drink, while preparing for the sentence mandated by the court.
The conclusion of this woman's case was swift and final, recorded through the ledger of expenses incurred by the burgh for her burning. The procurement of materials such as pitch barrels, coal, resin, heather, and timber, alongside the lighting of candles, underscores the ritualistic and industrial nature of the punishment. Having been found guilty, she was executed by fire on December 6, 1587. The total cost of these proceedings, including her sustenance and the instruments of her execution, amounted to £7, 3s. 8d., a sum that reflects the heavy fiscal burden placed upon the community to carry out the sentence imposed upon her.