Isobel Gowdie

Under arrest for witchcraft in 1662, Gowdie spun a confession over a six-week period that involved nighttime broom flights, secret covens of thirteen, Satanic baptismal rituals, elfin frolics under the hills, and animal transmogrification. Amazingly, she wasn't tortured once, which strengthens her confession. Gowdie's wild confessions may have saved her life — there is no historical record of her possible execution.