page_title: James Mitchell (Covenanter)
section_title: Apprehension
hierarchical_section_title: James Mitchell (Covenanter) / Apprehension
caption_attribution_description: English: The Boots from James Mitchell in Scot's Worthies
context_page_description: James Mitchell or James Mitchel, fanatic, was the son of obscure parents in Midlothian. He is best known for his trial following his confession under the torture of the boot and resulting in his hanging at the Grassmarket in Edinburgh after he attempted to murder Archbishop Sharp.
context_section_description: Early in 1674 he was recognised in the street by Sharp, whose brother, Sir William Sharp, obtained a confession from him, after the archbishop had pledged himself that no harm should come to him. But he was imprisoned at the Bass Rock, and, at the instigation of Sharp, brought before the council on 10 February 1674. He made a full confession on 12 February on receiving a promise of his life. Mitchell was indicted before the High Court of Justiciary and sentenced to have his right hand out off by the common executioner, at the "Mercat Cross" of Edinburgh.
  Indicted afresh, before the High Court in 1675, for his participation in the Pentland Rising and the attempt on the Archbishop's life, he retracted his Confession and pleaded "Not Guilty." Having no other proof in support of the latter charge except his Confession (and that having been recanted) the Court ordered the "torture of the Boot," with the view that he might be constrained anew to adhere to it. However, no amount of torture could induce him to incriminate himself; and he was accordingly sent to the Tolbooth Prison  where he lay until the beginning of 1677, when he was transferred to the Bass Rock.
  On 6 March the council framed an act, in which they declared themselves free of any promise made. On 25 March Mitchell was again brought before the court, but there being no evidence against him beyond the confession, since retracted, the lords of justiciary deserted the diet, with the consent of the lord advocate, Sir John Nisbet, Lord Dirleton. Mitchell was then returned to the Tolbooth and afterwards removed to the Bass Rock. He was sent there along with James Fraser of Brea and James Drummond. The attempted murder was an act that met with no sympathy from the great body of the Covenanters, who rather repudiated everything approaching to private revenge and assassination.
  On 18 January 1677 he again in the presence of a committee of justices, of which Linlithgow was chairman, denied his confession. A further attempt was made on 22 January with the same result, despite a threat of the ‘boots.’ On 24 January, in the Parliament House, he was examined under torture as to his connection with the rebellion of 1666 This accusation he also denied, and reminded those present that there were two other James Mitchells in Midlothian. The torture and questioning continued till the prisoner fainted when he was carried back to the Tolbooth.
caption: The Boots from Scots Worthies[6]
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