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Lancashire witches of 1604-13 - Coggle Diagram
Lancashire witches of 1604-13
context
7 years after the gunpowder plot
anti-Catholic hysteria and suspicion
Thomas Potts was the Clerk of the court, and published a detailed record , 'the wonderful discoverie of witches in the countie of Lancaster' 1613
feuds between neighbours and rival families, questionable legitimacy of trials, evidence of pacts with the devil
uses child witnesses
Pendle forest was originally set aside for deer hunting
By the early 17th century, Pendle can be described as an upland pastoral economy, with limited arable farming. Inventories show 70%contained the tools for cloth production
Many families were engaged in both cattle rearing and the manufacture of cloth
Several accusations of damaging livestock
Forest passed crown ownership in 1399, when the duke of Lancaster took the throne. Introduction of fixed rents and entry fines. Rents increased by 39%, so copyholders benefited from increased profits
population grew as more tenants moved to pendle with their families
1609- agreement made with the duchy where copyholders were expected to pay 12 years rent in order to confirm their rights and privileges
religion
refuge for recusant catholics
Whalley Abbey was closed down by Henry during the dissolution, it had provided charity and education, an irreplaceable source
In the absence of Whalley Abbey, a group of puritan clergy and their associates amongst the gentry were able to wield more influence. The crown ordered two members of the local gentry to manage the estate, some gentry were puritan and anti-catholic.
blurred boundaries between witchcraft and the work of village healers, with a new ideology of 'white magic' being used.
English law required members of the local community to make accusations, rather than clergy or professional inquisitors.
Alizon Device and John Law
18 March 1612, Alizon was begging outside of Pendle forest on a road, and asked him for some pins, he said no and she cursed him, he became paralyzed down one side and unable to speak
He claimed to have encountered her familiar in the shape of a black dog
John Law's son, Abraham reported the mater to a local magistrate, Roger Nowell. By the end of April 19 people were in custody at Lancaster castle
Nowell was a experienced JP and land owner. He had been high sheriff of Lancashire and had strong connections with high profile Protestants.
Anne whittle- Old Chattox, and Elizabeth Southerns, Old Demdike. Demdike's granddaughter Alizon stole 20 shillings worth of clothing and grain. Alizon then claimed that she saw Chattox's daughter Anne wearing a stolen cap and band
Old Chattox was previously accused of witchcraft by Robert Burnley and Christopher Nutter, chattoc lived as a tenant on their land.
Alizon confessed that she to Nowell that she had lamed John Law, potentially under confession
Continued her confession, explaining her grandmother Demdike had attempted to persuade her to take a familiar one day when they were begging together. She recounted further examples of Demdike's witchcraft e.g. bewitching a cow
further explains that Old Chattoxand Demdike were witches, saying Chattox was guilty of murder thrugh witchcraft.
Alizon's mother had the devil's mark on her left side, that had been present for 40 years. However she was allowed to go free.
Three days after Alizon's arrest, Old Demdike and Old Chattox were called for questioning, as well as Chattox's daughter. Several neighbours were prepared to testify against them.
Examined on the 2 April in a nearby village
As a JP, Nowell had the authority to decide weather to deal with the cases himself or send the women to high court for trial. He decided to keep the women detained until he could send them to the Lancaster assizes in August
A week later, a meeting was held at Malkin tower, the home of Demdike
Another JP visited Malkin tower and discovered a clay image and some teeth from the graveyard.
Most evidence came from 9 year old Jennett Device and her brother James, including a number of cliches.
11 people detained as a result of Nowell's investigations
Old Demdike died shortly after the journey to Lancaster castle
The judges
Judges travelled across the country to hear cases, reduced bias
Lancashire was visted 3-4 times a year
Judges arrived at Lancaster on the 16th August. They were immediately given a list of prisoners awaiting trial
Sir James Altham, from an established gentry family, Baron of the exchequer in 1606. Well-respected Orthodox Protestant
Edward Bromley also rose to become Baron of the exchequer. Educated in the Calvinist tradition. Made Serjeant-at-law in 1610
Positive convictions are likely to have been a way to gain the King's favour.
Outcomes of the trial
Old Chattox
most senior witch on the trial
spoke plainly and with a measure of truth in court
charged with murder 18 years prior
unlikely that other statements were needed, as a witch's confession was held in high regard as evidence
knowing she had no hope of being reprieved, chattox broke down and acknowledged that the evidence presented in front of her was true
asked for God's forgiveness in court
Elizabeth Device (Demdike's daughter)
Presented by Potts as an extremely ugly and confrontational woman
Had to be taken from the court room kicking and screaming before the trial could begin
Charged with the murders of John and James Barley and Henry Mitton
Her daughter Jennet was brought into court and Elizabeth angrily cursed her and caused her to cry
Elizabeth left and Jennet gave evidence confidently and well-rehearsed. Said that her mother had been a witch for 3-4 years, said that she had seen her familiar
When brought back into the court, Elizabeth denied her previous confession and spoke against her children
James Device
Showed signs of weakness or illness at the trial, unable to speak or stand
Charged with the murders of Anne Towneley and John Duckworth
Had already made a detailed confession on 27th April
All three found guilty
Anne Redferne
Found not guilty, with weak evidence against her
Tried on the 18 August
Only woman out of the original 4 to not confess to witchcraft
Alizon Device
John Law was present at the trial
Repeated a similar story to previous occassions
John Law's statement was similar to Alizon's story
Found guilty
Thomas Potts' account
unique insight into the trial, as clerk of the court
entirely first hand account
Wrote for the public
completed on the 16 November 1612
Judge Bromley checked and corrected the manuscript before it was published in 1613
Both judges may have written sections themselves
Aimed to hold up the trials as an example to others
Written witness statements as they were spoken in court to add to the drama of the proceedings
Fails to include any of the build up to the trials and the legal processes involved in bringing the cases to court