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Lancashire Witch Trial - Coggle Diagram
Lancashire Witch Trial
Accusations
Alison Device: was accused by John Law, saying that she had cursed his father making him paralyzed because he did not give any pins when Alison was begging
Old Demdike: was accused by Alison (her own grand-daughter), Alison stated that she saw Demdike turn milk into cheese without getting up and this was not helped by old Chattox who was Demdike rival; giving many more accusations against her
Elizabeth Device: was the mother of Alison, James and Jennet Device and was accused of being a witch from non other than her own family James and Jennet of being a witch.
Old Chattox: Was implicated due to Alizon’s confession and she said that she had a spirit called Francie and gave her soul to a man allowing her to take revenge on those who wronged her.
James Device: Was accused by Jennet device who was a key witness that he was a witch and he apparently killed a sheep he had stolen
Anne Redfrene: Was executed as she was thought to have been a witch as it was suspected that she had gone to old Demdike house for a meeting of witches. Several people testified against them
Outcomes
Old Chattox
Once old Demdike was dead Old Chattox was the most senior witch on the trial. We know thanks to Potts that she spoke plainly and with a measure of truth in court. She was charged with muder of Robert nutter. She was not charged with the death of John Device even though Alizon accused her of killing her father. The confession of a witch was held in high regard so no other statements were required. To save herself Chattox tried to redirect the blame to Demdike but even she knew she had no chance to escape so she asked for god forgiveness and asked for his mercy on her daughter.
Elizabeth Device
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She cursed at her causing Jennet to cry leading to Elizabeth being taken out of the courtroom so jennet could present her case
Jennet's evidence was well rehearsed and she said her mother had been a witch for 3 to 4 years. She also said that Elizabeth was instrumental to the gathering of Malkin tower.
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James Device
He was charged with the muder of Anne Towneley and John Duckworth. Anne towneleys husband was called to give evidence but unusually Potts omits this from his account of the trials.
James sealed his fate when he made a detailed confession on 27 april and read out in court that he acknowledged it was true.
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He pleaded not guilty but his sister was brought in again and stated that she was aware that her brother had killed them both
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Anne Redferne
Daughter of Old Chattox she was tried on the 18th of august for her role in the death of Robert Nutter.
She was found not guilty and she was the only one of the original 4 women who did not confess to witchcraft. On wednesday she was presented with a further charge of murdering RObewrts father Christopher nutter
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Chattox was brought to court where she tried to make a final effort to save her daughter by saying that she made the clay figures and begged the court to spare Anne however her efforts were to no avail.
Alice Nutter
Potts stated that although most witches were poor the devil could seduce wealthier women with promises of revenge against their enemies.
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The statements of Elizabeth and James Device along with Jennet devices evidence was brought forward and stated that she was present at Malkin tower.
However she was found guilty and historitans struggle to explain why she made it all the way to the gallows without her influential family and associates intervening.
Context
Economy
Pendle Forest was originally set aside for deer hunting but by 1296 over 900 cattle were kept on farms there. In 1327 there were at least 4 water-powered mills for finishing cloth in Lancashire with 2 close to Pendle Forest. In the early 17th century Pendle could be categorized as an upland pastoral economy ( Land used for rearing of sheep and cattle) there was little arable farming which was mainly just and there was a thriving cloth industry. Most cloth was worked in the homes of farmers and entire families would assist the process of cloth production. This meant that due to the fact that many people survived by raising and selling cattle, a cow dying from sickness was a major setback. Due to the fact that they could no longer sell it. Coupled with the fact that witches were often accused of killing livestock it meant that there were many more chances for accusations. As a farmer would rather blame someone else for their cow dying than themselves
Pendle forest passed into Crown ownership in 1399 when Henry, Duke of Lancaster, took the throne to become Henry VI. Cattle farms continued to be leased to tenants on an informal basis until 1507. When arrangements were formalised with fixed rents and entry fines. As a result rents increased by 39 percent and more general price inflation in the 16th century especially for agricultural goods meant that copy holders benefited through increased profits. Also the increase in enclose meant that many tenants faced the constant threat of eviction
Social
Wealthy Copy holders had to pay rent to the Duchy but subtenants who rented from copy holders had to pay rents which were around 25 times higher than the rents paid by the copy holders. The feeling of insecurity increased by the lengths of contracts given to subtentants which were often a year or less. There were many squatters and even though it was illegal. Many of them were suspected witches so the witch hunts removed illegal squatters for copy holders.
Religious
On the outside it appears Pendle and surrounds did not suffer as much as other communities from the REFORMATION
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Local clergy often came to blows with seniors (Christopher Nuttall married a couple in an ale house, John Horrocks had reputation as a drinker)
Limited examples of residents in church courts (1611 two catholics found living with Harry Standen and not attending church - reported but not acted upon)
Authorities viewed Lancashire as ignorant and somewhere catholicism and superstition could easily be fostered
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Around start of 17th Century there was an attempt to clamp down on drunkenness and reduce strength of beer
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After 1604 statue
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Stephen Pumfrey - argues that the Lancashire trials represent a fusion of continental focus and more traditional beliefs