I first heard Marion Pardone’s story in October 2016 when historian John Shaw was interviewed by BBC Radio Shetland about a lecture he was giving on witchcraft and murder in 17th century Shetland. My curiosity was piqued. Here was a woman who was accused of numerous acts of sorcery and demonology. Amongst them, it was alleged she drowned four fishermen in fair weather by the shore in Hillswick whilst disguised as a porpoise. Marion was found guilty, then strangled and burned on a hill overlooking Shetland’s former capital of Scalloway. How and why did this happen?
Shetland fiddler and singer-songwriter Claire White launches a short film about Marion Pardone, a Shetland woman who was executed in 1644 under the Witchcraft Act of 1563.
My search for clues began at Shetland Archives with Marion’s trial papers. Here, in seventeenth century language, her misdeeds are detailed over ten pages. They describe:
- A Hillswick woman with an evil tongue who cursed those whom she wished ill.
- Her human and animal targets became victims of sickness, harm and death.
- She took “away the profit” from produce by spoiling brewing and filling udders of cows with blood and fetid water.
- Two ravens, agents of the devil, were seen accompanying her on a three-quarter mile walk.
- Marion failed to learn The Lord’s Prayer or say it in her lifetime.
- And by conspiring with another witch and consorting with the devil, she caused the fishing boat drownings.
Marion and her husband, Swane, were brought to see the boat’s corpses and lay their hands on them days after death, when “all their blood was vanished and dissolved from any natural course”. One bled at the collar bone, hands and fingers “to the great admiration of the beholders, and revelation of the judgement of the almighty”. Marion was, by this proof, brought to judgement, convicted and condemned.
In July 2018 I set about telling Marion’s story in song. In the trial papers I was stuck by a recurring phrase, “which you, (rank witch), cannot deny.” This form of words appeared at the end of several indictments against Marion and became my accusatory chorus. From this start point, allegations against Marion formed verse lyrics as the only extant record of events. This is not to endorse the testimony of community members who spoke against Marion, but to share evidence given in her trial in as much detail as possible.
Whilst songwriting, I climbed the west hill of Berry in Scalloway to see Marion’s execution site for myself. As I gazed at the view from the top it occurred to me that Marion’s experience should be remembered in images as well as words. In March 2023 I secured a Shetland Amenity Trust Heritage Grant to make a film to accompany my song, with language advocacy group Shetland ForWirds topping up the funding pot to cover production costs. In August 2024 we shot in Scalloway, Hillswick, Lunna and Quarff using local creative talent, and the result is the film of Da Fateful Tale o Marion Pardone.
Earlier this year, a memorial to the people killed in Shetland’s 17th century witchcraft trials was erected on Scalloway’s Gallow Hill. This is part of an international movement to memorialise the unjust execution of people for a crime which does not exist.
The number of people executed for witchcraft in Shetland - thought to be eight including one male - is relatively small compared to equivalent capital punishment levels in central Scotland and northern Norway. Nonetheless, one person executed in this way is one too many. Hopefully this song, film and memorial will help ensure that these past events are never forgotten.
‘Da Fateful Tale o Marion Pardone’ features on Claire White and Robbie Leask's ‘Lasses Trust In Providence’ CD which is available at www.clairewhite.info