Lancashire/Pendle - 1604-13 Flashcards
The Lancashire witch trials were held in the context of what?
Held in the context of anti-Catholic hysteria & suspicion- it was even alleged that the witches were plotting to blow up Lancaster Castle with gunpowder.
How do the events that took place in and around the Pendle Forest share many of the same features as other 17th century witch trials?
- At their heart was a feud between neighbors & rival families.
- Interrogations & trials were of questionable legitimacy.
- Evidence of pacts with the Devil was sought in all cases.
What is one elements of the Pendle Case that makes it groundbreaking?
- The use of child witnesses in modern Britain, it is quite normal for young children to give evidence in court cases, but before the nine-year old Jennet Device gave evidence in the 1612 trial, children under 14 were viewed as unreliable witnesses.
- Her evidence led to the execution of 10 people, including her entire family.
When did the Lancashire witch hunts take place?
1604-13
In 1618- the writings of Thomas Potts and the evidence presented by Jennet Device were included in what?
What did this cover?
- Included in a new handbook for Justices of the Peace called The Country Justice.
- The book covered all types of crime from minor thefts to murder, and included witchcraft as another serious breach of the law. This book became incredibly significant for many reasons.
Why was ‘The Country Justice’ a book which was incredibly significant?
- Book went through more than 20 editions before 1746 and was used by all subsequent magistrates investigating cases of witchcraft. Its popularity was based on the wide range of examples and precedents that magistrates could refer to.
- It made allowances for the testimony of children, because of the events of at Pendle.
- The book was used at the notorious Salem witch trials in Massachusetts in 1692, where most of the evidence was given by children.
The economic & social context
The economy of Pendle?
- Pendle forest- originally set aside for deer hunting.
- In 1327- there were at least 4 water-powered mills for finishing cloth in Lancashire, with two close to Pendle forest.
- In early 17th century, Pendle could be categorised as an upland pastoral economy.
- There was limited arable farming, which mainly centred on the production of oats & there was also a thriving cloth industry.
- Heavy industry such as coal & mining & quarrying for building materials existed- but vast majority of people were engaged in pastoral farming.
The economic & social context
What were many of the suspected witches accused of doing?
Damaging livestock as well as people, which demonstrates the importance of cattle to the economy of Pendle.
How many witches were found guilty?
11 guilty + Old Chattox who died in custody.
Only 1 was found innocent.
When did James become the King of England?
1604
What book did Thomas Potts write?
Wonderfull Disvoerie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster
1613
What was the main impact of the Lancaster witch hunt?
1618 - “The Country Justice” was written to be used by Justice of Peace.
- Allowed child witnesses
- Used in Salem trial (Which relied heavily on children)
What was published in 1618?
The country justice
Guild book for Justice of the Peace used to identify cases of witchcraft.
On which two families was the Lancashire witch trial focused?
Device Family
Redferne Family
Explain how the economy was maintained within Lancashire
Pastoral economy - The caring for animals.
Cloth making - 70% population had the tools to make. (This stat found in probate inventories at the time)
What proportion of the population had the machines needed to make cloth?
70%
Why did rent increase over the time of the Lancashire trial?
- Pendle forest was part of the kings land
- This meant that rents had to be enforced
- Increase of 39%
- The people of Pendle petitioned in 1608 to reduce this however the Duchy overturned and states he expected a lump sum of 12 years rent to stay on the land.
