PENDLE

The Pendle witch trials, held in 1612, are among the most famous witchcraft trials in English history. They took place in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire and the proceedings led to the executions of ten people. The trials are well-documented, thanks to the detailed account by court clerk Thomas Potts in his book “The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster.”

The origins of the trials can be traced to the strained social and religious environment of early 17th century England. Pendle was an area rife with superstition and fear of witchcraft, partly due to its “remote” location and the survival of older, pre-Christian beliefs amongst its population. Additionally, King James I’s fascination with witchcraft and his book “Daemonologie” had heightened public fears and encouraged the prosecution of alleged witches.

The story began in March 1612, when a young woman named Alizon Device encountered a peddler named John Law. Device, who was from a family long suspected of witchcraft, allegedly cursed Law after he refused to give her some pins. Soon after, Law suffered a physical ailment - what is likely to have been a stroke - which he attributed to Device’s curse. This incident led to Alizon’s arrest, and under interrogation, she confessed to being a witch and implicated others.

The investigation expanded rapidly, leading to the arrests of Alizon’s family members, including her mother Elizabeth Device and her brother James, as well as members of the rival Demdike and Chattox families. The Demdike family matriarch, Elizabeth Southerns, also known as Old Demdike, had long been considered a witch, and her rival, Anne Whittle (Mother Chattox), faced similar accusations.

During the interrogations, the accused witches were often subjected to intense pressure and intimidation, leading many to confess to witchcraft and to implicate others. These confessions were crucial, as they provided the evidence needed to proceed with the trials. The suspects were charged with various acts of witchcraft, including causing harm through curses and pacts with the devil.

The trial took place in August 1612 at Lancaster Assizes, and it was presided over by Sir James Altham and Sir Edward Bromley. The key evidence came from the confessions obtained during the interrogations, as well as the testimony of a nine-year-old girl, Jennet Device, who provided damning evidence against her own family members. Her testimony was considered credible at the time, despite her young age.

The trial concluded with ten of the accused being found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. These were Anne Whittle (Mother Chattox), Anne Redferne, Elizabeth Device, James Device, Alizon Device, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock, and Isabel Robey. Elizabeth Southerns (Old Demdike) had died in prison before the trial could take place. Only one of the accused, Alice Grey, was found not guilty.

The Pendle witch trials are significant for several reasons. They highlight the intense fear of witchcraft and the ways in which societal, familial, and local rivalries could manifest in accusations of witchcraft. They also illustrate the use of child testimony in witch trials, which was unusual but became more common after Jennet Device’s involvement. The detailed records left by Thomas Potts provide a valuable historical resource, offering insights into the legal procedures and societal attitudes of the time.

Today, the Pendle witch trials are remembered as a tragic episode in English history, symbolising the dangers of superstition, intolerance, and the scapegoating of marginalised individuals. The story has left a lasting legacy in the Pendle region, with various landmarks and memorials commemorating the events of 1612.