Pendle Witch hunt

1604-1613

11 - old chattox had died before

The device family

The Referne family

King James 6 of Scotland

He became king James I of England

The gunpowder plot was a catholic attempt to kill the king

• it would have heightend animosity between Protestants and catholics

Protestantism was the main religion of England but there remained strong catholic support in the north

• Being further from London it was difficult to manage

Tangible proof of maleficium such as death or injury

Conjuring spirits was now a capital offence, the most damaging aspect of witchcraft was the pact with the devil.

The trial of witches transferred to ordinary courts from church courts

Now that tangible evidence is no longer needed, more people could be accessed and executed

It was mainly a pastoral economy (sheep and cattle) with limited arable farming

There was also a strong cloth industry (70% owned tools for this)

Rent increased by 39% and inflation grew

Enclosure took land away from tenants and sold/rented it out to other people

It increased all over the country' by the 1500's the population had grown to half of pre-black death levels

In Pendle , there were 24 in 1443, by 1650 it had increased to around 1620

They were expected to pay a lump sum of 12 years rent to confirm their rights

Many could not afford and either evicted or increased rent for their tenants

An ignorant corner where Catholicism was still active, Lancashire historically had looked after recusant catholics

It provided cloth, grain and money for the local residents

• It took away a valuable source of income and support

• Without catholic influence, a group of puritan ministers had more and more influence

• The new parish had a population of 10,000 people and they couldn't be cared for properly

John law, a pedlar was travelling with his wares when Alison device asked him for some pins - John law refused

Alison muttered a curse and he presumably suffered a stroke and encountered her familiar (a black dog)

She believed she was a witch and confessed to using a curse and a familiar

Old Demdike-Alison's grandmother

Old chattox - Anne's grandmother

Accused each other of stealing and theft, particularly grain and a cap

Alison's father nad promised to pay grain yearly but this ended when n died - the accusations returned

An experienced jp and local land owner, he had been High sheriff of Lancashire and had strong connections with profile Protestants

He led investigation into Alison device it is unclear whether he went in knowing he was going to convict

He was familiar with the pact with the devil from the work of William Perkins

She accused old chattox of murder through witchcraft along with other examples of magic

Accused Old demdike of being a witch

Old chattox, old demdike and Anne redferne are taken in for questioning

• Inability to evoke the name of Jesus

• Having a familair named Tinn, and suckling him

• Making an effigy of a person to bewitch them

Torture her

Old Chattox and Ann made figures out of clay - Tibb told her these were effigies of Christopher Nutter, Robert Nutter and Marie Nutter

Christopher Nutter had accused Old Chattox on his deathbed in 1595

the devils mark

her mother Elizabeth was also serched, she admitted to having on for 40 years but was released

A sabbt at a graveyard in Newchurch- Elizabeth, James and Jennet Device are questioned, Jennet becomes the star witness at 9 years old

that at least 20 witches were present at the meeting at her house and that James had stolen a sheep to be eaten

James also revealed more names and named the meeting “Great Assembly and Feast”

• to free the women imprisioned at Lancashire castle by blowing it up

• to perform a ritual to name Alison Devices spirit

• to provide protection to Jenet Preston, a women identified as a witch

11 people were imprisoned, including the original suspects

Old Demdike dies shortly arriving at the castle - Old Chattox then tries to lay more blame on her

• Sir James Altham, one of the most senior Judges in England, strongly protestant

• Sir Edward bromley - another senior judge, Highly trusted by the King

  • Both wanted the kings favour, Bromley had just been knoghted and wanted to be closer to London

18th-19th August in Lancaster

All but one pleaded not guilty How

As being rational and wise men but they were prepared to accept dubious evidence probably aquired under torture

James Altham had recenlty sent an innpcent woman to the gallows in Yorkshire based on the evidence of Jennet

Roger Nowell, all JP’s and witnesses involved had to be present at the trial

Evidence:

• Previous accusations from Old Demdike

• Personal confession in court Eliza

Evidence:

• Witness statement from her daughter Jennet Device Name

Evidence:

• Witness statement from his sister Jennet Device

Evidence:

• Previous accusations from Old Demdike

• Old Chattox, pleaded for her to be saved

Evidence:

• Selected in a line up by Jennet Device

• Witness statement from Jennet Device

Evidence:

• Witness statement from James Device

• Selected in a line up by Jennet Device

Evidence:

• Identified by Jennet Device, despite not knowing them previously

Evidence:

• Her own confession and pleas for forgiveness

Evidence:

• Witness statement from Old Chattox

The wonderful Discoverie of Witches in the countie of Lancaster

• Potts was clerk of the court which gave him unique insight

• he was ordered to write it by the two judges so an account could go public

• Potts was told which evidence to use closely monitored while writing

• brought up in the home of Thoman Knyvet, very strong protestant who appreheded Guy Fawkes

• had wanted to be a lawyer but didn’t go to university

• a well reguarded civil servant

• Provided an account that justified the trials

• protected the reputation of Potts. Bromley and Altham to advance their carrers

• can’t say it’s totally unreliable because Potts had motive/ judges were involved

• he was a well informed observers who sat through the trials, checked by Bromley

• large number had atteneded, the trials weren’t a secret

• written in the immediate aftermath