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Theft was severely punished, often by execution. In this case, the woman is sentenced to banishment with the threat of execution without further trial if she returns. The usual method of execution was drowning for women, but hanging for men.

11 Nov 1595

Comperit Margrat Reid, being apprehendit for theft, grantis hir to have stowin [stolen] fra Walter Grayis wyiff ane cloik, and fra John Hall thrie barrowis, ane covering of John Galbraythes, ane meikle tub fra Christopher Allexander, and confessis hir to be ane commone pyikear [thief], and thairfor is becum actit of hir confessioune to be banisit both burgh and barony, and gif scho be apprehendit thairintill is content to be drownit, but [without] an assyis.

Extracts from the Records of the Burgh of Glasgow A.D. 1573-1642. Glasgow: Scottish Burgh Records Society, 1876, p.173