Pendle is famous for the most famous witchraft trials in Britain. The Pendle Witches lived in the early 1600’s at a time of religious persecution and superstition. The protestant king, James I, had just survived the catholic gunpowder plot. Catholics and those suspected of witchcraft came under more scrutiny than ever, and the king brought in the death penalty for those found guilty of witchcraft.
It was a dangerous time for two Pendle families, led by two wily old matriarchs, Demdike and Chattox. Long since widowed their existence depended on exaggerating the cures they offered to local villagers. It would prove to be their undoing.
On a cold lonely road to Colne on a March day in 1612 a man collapsed to the ground paralysed. His name was John Law, a pedlar from Halifax. Just moments before Demdike’s grand-daughter, Alison Device, had cursed him. Abraham Law, the pedlar’s son, hauled Alison infront of local magistrate, Roger Nowell, Alison, overawed by the situation confesses and incriminates both her grandmother, Demdike, and her local rival, Chattox.
The two are interrogated at Ashlar House, and perhaps wishing to enhance their local reputation try to outdo each other with their stories, including the story of meeting the devil in the quarry. On April 3rd 1612 Demdike, Chattox, Device, and Redfearn are committed for trial for witchcraft at Lancaster Castle.On Good Friday the Demdike and Device families meet at Malkin Tower and feast on stolen mutton. There are accusations that they were plotting to free the imprisoned women and blow up the castle.
On August 17th the trial began. The prosecution’s star witness was nine year old Jennet Device who in court identifies those who attended the Good Friday meeting, including her mother Elizabeth and Alice Nutter. This evidence, the confessions already given, and the vigour of the prosecutors, keen to ingratiate themselves to James I, meant that, after just three days the trial was over. All the accused swung from the gallows, except for Demdike, who died as a prisoner before the trial.
You can follow this fascinating slice of history by going on one of Pendle's Witches Trails. One is a walking trail and the other a car/bike trail. Both can be downloaded from this site, or ordered via our brochure request service at the top of this website.
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