From Witch Trials to Witchy Trails.

 

Carrying on with our darker heritage themes for the month of October we delve into some witchy tales.......

Because of the 17th century witch trials, England is scattered with historical witchcraft sites, King James I began Scotland’s witch hunts leading to witch trials being held for over 100 years. 



In 1603 James VI of Scotland became James I of England, after the death of Queen Elizabeth I, joining the crowns of England and Scotland in personal union. During a time of pandemic and sudden death King James wrote a dissertation titled Daemonologie that was first sold in 1597 explaining the demonic causes of witchcraft and sorcery. The book was widely read by the English, but it caused widespread panic, and many took it upon themselves to solve the perceived problem of witches. There was years of terrible torment and torture with everyone convinced that they would be poisoned by witches possessed by the devil.

Daemonologie aided in the creation of witchcraft reform, which in 1629 inspired the English puritan clergyman Richard Bernard to write A Guide to Grand-Jury Men, a manual on witch-finding which advised judicial trial with witnesses. In turn Matthew Hopkins the self-appointed witchfinder general used these methods to become responsible for 20% of all witch trials and executions killing over 100 suspected witches alone between 1644-1647.



So, for the purposes of cultural heritage, it means we have a vast number of buildings and spaces associated with witches and the witchcraft trials that serve to interpret this unfortunate past. The Pendle Witches can be discovered via Lancaster Castle where their trials were held you can also use this walking with witches’ trail guide to discover the hills and commemorative statues. And if walking is too much a three-hour bus trip will take you on the Pendle Witch Experience taking in all the most important sites around Pendle Hill and furnishing you with historic tales of the witch trials.

Take a tour into Colchester Castle where you can visit the cells that the witches were held in before the witchfinder general tortured them. Framlingham Castle where the witchfinder would dunk his suspected witches in the moat until they confessed.

Colchester Castle: Stoneware bellarmine bottle with rag stopper. Presumed to be a witch bottle. Post Medieval https://cim-web.adlibhosting.com/ais6/Details/collect/177814

Move on to Bideford Devon and see the place where the final people to be accused of witchcraft in England (they were also the last witches to be executed in England) There is a mural with images of witches toiling over a boiling cauldron and a memorial plaque in honour of the final execution of witches in England.


Images: https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/people/the-story-of-the-bideford-witches-7267796

Boscastle in Cornwall is proof that witchcraft has come along way for now it is accepted as a great tourist draw. Claiming to be one of the most witchy places in England. The Boscastle Museum of Witchcraft is run by practicing witches and filled with objects related to the history of witchcraft in England and gives a greater understanding of historical and modern witchcraft in England a collection of occult items and the persecution of witches. They also run many events not least on All Hallows Eve!


Images: https://museumofwitchcraftandmagic.co.uk/visit/

 

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