Lancashire/Pendle Trials Flashcards
By what percentage did rents increase in Pendle and what was the result?
Rents increased by 39%, contributing to inflation and feuds with landlords.
According to probate inventories, 70% of households relied on which form of trade other than farming?
Cotton trade
What was the main type of farming in Pendle?
Farming was primarily pastoral, with limited arable farming, meaning that livestock were often at the heart of accusation
What practise became a capital offence under the Witchcraft Statute of 1604?
The conjuring of spirits, as opposed to just the evidence of maleficium
What was the population of Pendle in 1563, and 1650, respectively?
In 1563 the population was 580, whereas in 1620 the population was 1650.
Give some examples of buildings that were built to try and deal with a rising population?
Two new corn mills were built in 1546 and 1598 as well as a new church in 1544
What caused the residents of Pendle to clash with the Duchy of Lancaster?
Copyholders were expected to pay more rent to raise money for the crown. Subtenants of copyholders, who were often poorer, were expected to pay rent 25 times higher than copyholders - adding to the economic burden of the lower class, contributing to many witchcraft accusations.
Which abbey, close to Pendle, was destroyed as a result of the dissolution, and how did this impact the local area?
The destruction of Whalley Abbey was a destruction of what had acted as a source of higher control and provider of alms to aid the poor. Consequently, landed gentry representing the crown were able to exercise power, many of whom were puritan, clashing with the catholic sympathies harboured in Pendle and surrounding areas.
Why was the population increasing?
A decline in plague, despite local epidemics such as that in London (1665) meant a rapidly increasing population.
Why did Pendle harbour Catholic sympathies?
Independent chapleries meant that a lack of higher parish control was asserted. This meant that parliamentary laws often failed to reach rural areas, which were largely autonomous. The fact that old witches were accused of using corrupted Catholic prayers is indicative that the reformation had a limited impact in Pendle.
Which minister in Pendle came to the attention of the authorities when he married a couple in an alehouse, and had married a couple without a licence in 1592?
Christopher Nuttall
What was the name of the handbook by Potts, which was used in subsequent trials?
“The Country Justice”
What sort of testimony was unique at Pendle?
The use of children, notably 9-year-old Jennet Device, as witnesses. This led to the execution of 10 people, including her entire family.
Who initially accused Alizon Device, and why?
John Law, a travelling pedlar from Halifax, accused Device of causing him extreme pain down one side (presumably a stroke) when he refused to give her pins.
Alizon Device’s familiar took the form of which animal, according to John Law?
A black dog
