The Lancaster Witches (Pendle) - textbook Flashcards
When were the trials?
1604-1613
When did the trials/accusations actually take place?
March-August 1612
What was Pendle’s economy like?
It was a pastoral, prosperous economy
pastoral -> look after cows, sheep etc
How much did the rent increase by in the 16th Century?
39%
What was the population of Pendle in 1563?
580 (rising to 1,620 in 1650)
How did the English reformation affect Pendle?
It did not suffer as much as other communities
How many people did Pendle’s parish cover?
10,000
How was Lancashire viewed by the authorities?
As an ignorant corner of England where Catholicism could be easily fostered
What was the effect of the local abbey closing in Pendle?
It made land prices go up, people could no longer rely on it for resources
Did people still believe in helpful magic (in Pendle)?
Yes - records show that in nearly 100 cases, magic seems to have blurred boundaries between witchcraft and work of village healers
What was the impact of the 1604 act?
It introduced the idea of the diabolical pact
Who made the first accusation made in the trials?
Who was the accused?
It was made by John Law, against Alison Device.
What happened to Law in the encounter with Device?
Law refused the sale of some pins to Device, who then muttered a curse. Law then collapsed in great pain (presumably from a stroke).
Did Alison Device need lots of questioning to confess?
No
What did Device say about the encounter?
That she was visited by her familiar during the encounter
How did family rivalry affect the witch trials?
Senior members of the two families hated each other, which led to them accusing each other
When were witchcraft claims first levelled against Old Chattox
In 1595
What was Roger Nowell’s background?
He was a local magistrate who had been High Sheriff of Lancashire
Who did Nowell investigate first?
Alizon Device
What did Device tell Nowell about the encounter with Law?
That she had a conversation with a black dog that put the curse against Law
What else did Device say to Nowell?
That she had been talking to her grandmother about getting a familiar whilst they were begging together
What evidence was there against Old Demdike?
- She had been called in to see to a cow, which subsequently died
- When Alizon took some milk back to the house, it had got turned into butter
- Demdike had been called to see a farmer’s daughter, who then died
What is Alizon Device’s reasoning behind her grandmother and Old Chattox?
As they were both witches
What did Alizon Device say Old Chattox had done?
- Chattox was guilty of murder through witchcraft
- Chattox killed a child, the father of whom she did not get on with
- Another died after accusing Chattox of bewitching one of his cattle
How many people were allegedly at the meeting in Malkin Tower?
20
What was James’ role in the meeting?
He was to get the animal that they would sacrifice and then eat at the feast afterwards
How old was Jennet Device at the time?
9
Who did Jennet name as being at the meeting?
Elizabeth Device James Device Alice Nutter Christopher Howgate 11 more
What was the outcome of the trial?
11 people died, 10 women and 1 man.
Were assize courts fair?
Although on the surface, the assize courts were fair, the defendants were not allowed to prepare a defence for themselves.
Were the judges motivated for the right reasons?
No - they both wanted to please the King and would therefore find witches guilty.
Altham had been previously accused of sending an innocent woman to be killed.
Is Potts’ work, The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster, reliable?
No. Potts is selective in the details he includes, in order to protect his, and the judges’, reputations.
