1. John Fian was a Scottish schoolmaster in Prestonpans, East Lothian and purported sorcerer.
11 Facts About John Fian
1. 2.
John Fian confessed to have a compact with the devil while acting as register and scholar to several witches in North Berwick Kirk.
3.
John Fian was accused of bewitching townsfolk, preaching witchcraft, and, along with Agnes Sampson and others, raising storms to sink the fleet of King James VI of Scotland and his wife Anne of Denmark as they returned from Copenhagen, having been married in Oslo.
4.
John Fian's apprehension was caused by a confession from Geillis Duncan which afterward prompted his examinations as a sorcerer.
5.
John Fian confessed during a later trial examination that he made a compact with Satan but would renounce Satan and vow to lead the life of a Christian.
6.
The next morning, he confessed that during the previous night, the Devil came to him in his cell dressed in all black with a white wand, demanding John Fian to continue his faithful service, according to the first oath and promise of their agreement.
7.
John Fian then was given a chance to lead the life he promised but the same night he stole a key to his cell and escaped.
8.
John Fian was eventually captured and tortured until his execution.
9.
John Fian endured the torture of having his fingernails forcibly extracted, then having iron pins thrust therein, the pilliwinks, and the boot to crush his feet until they were so small that they were no longer usable.
10.
John Fian was reported to have endured the torture without expressing pain.
11.
The English ambassador Robert Bowes recorded that during his execution John Fian denied his confession, saying he told those tales by fear of torture and to save his life.