In 1612 the case of the Pendle Witches culminated in four people being hanged for witchcraft in Lancaster castle. The story goes, so I've been told, that there were two families at war with each other. Both families had lost the head of the household and were run by their matriarchs. The families were destitute and took to begging in the streets of Colne. One day one of the young girls was propositioned by a local man, when she refused him he cursed her and started to accuse her of unspeakable things. Being the hot headed girl that she was, she cursed him and his family. The man, clutched at this chest and fell to the ground, he was unconscious, when he was revived he was said to be speaking in tongues. The reality is he probably had some sort of stroke, but in 1912 this was enough to convince the townsfolk that the girl and her family were witches! The story goes that the twelve witches, form both families and a local lady were marched from Colne to Lancaster over hill and dale for their trial.
The Meeting at Malkin Tower
The names of the Witches at the Great Assembly and Feast at Malkin Tower, on Good Friday in 1612:
- Elizabeth Device
- Alice Nutter
- Katherine Hewitt alias Mould-heels
- John Bulcock
- Jane Bulcock
- Alice Gray of Padiham
- Jennet Hargraves
- Elizabeth Hargraves
- Christopher Howgate
- Christopher Hargraves son of Demdike
- Grace Hay of Padiham
- Anne Crunckshey of Marsden
- Elizabeth Howgate
- Jennet Preston Executed at York for the murder of Mr. Lister.
With many more, which being bound over to appear at the last assizes, are since that time fled to save themselves.
No comments:
Post a Comment