Midwifery and Witchcraft by Professor Nicola Ring

A nursing history research project funded by the RCN Foundation has captured the stories of nurses and midwives accused of witchcraft in Scotland between 1563 and 1736. The project, supported by a Monica Baly Education Grant, was led by researchers from Edinburgh Napier University, who explored records from the Survey of Scottish Witchcraft identifying folk healers and midwives. Dr Nicola Ring, Nessa McHugh, and Rachel Davidson-Welch from the School of Health and Social Care’s Nursing and Midwifery groups delved into the lives of nearly 150 accused women and men, reflecting on their practices through the lens of modern healthcare. Scotland’s Witchcraft Act, introduced in 1563 and in force until 1736, saw nearly 4,000 people, mostly women, accused of witchcraft. Those accused were imprisoned and tortured until they confessed, often naming others as ‘witches’ in the process. Many are believed to have been executed, strangled, and then burned at the stake, leaving no remains for burial. Accusations arose for many reasons—some victims suffered from mental illness, while others owned land or wealth that others coveted. Yet many were simply caring for the sick or assisting in childbirth, practicing early forms of nursing and midwifery. This research holds significance as these individuals are seen as the early ancestors of modern professional nurses and midwives. Previously explored from a nursing and midwifery perspective, this project was the highlight of the RCN Foundation Annual Lecture, hosted in partnership with the RCN Library & Archive. The award-winning research by Professor Nicola Ring, Nessa McHugh, Rachael Davidson-Welch, and Leslie Dodd—creators of the Witches research—earned them the Research and Innovation category at the Edinburgh Napier University 2024 Recognition Awards, honouring exceptional work with economic, social, cultural, or other public benefits.