Studied by 5 people
When was the hunt
1604-1613
How many people were found guilty at the trial
11 - old chattox had died before
Who were the families involved
The device family
The Referne family
Rc: who succeeded Elizabeth in 1603
King James 6 of Scotland
He became king James I of England
Rc: how would The gunpower plot have impacted Religious tension in England
The gunpowder plot was a catholic attempt to kill the king
it would have heightend animosity between Protestants and catholics
Rc: How did religion vary across England
Protestantism was the main religion of England but there remained strong catholic support in the north
Being further from London it was difficult to manage
Rc: what did courts need in trial as evidence
Tangible proof of maleficium such as death or injury
Rc: what did the 1604 witchcraft act declare
Conjuring spirits was now a capital offence, the most damaging aspect of witchcraft was the pact with the devil.
The trial of witches transferred to ordinary courts from church courts
Rc: what impact does this have on trials.
Now that tangible evidence is no longer needed, more people could be accessed and executed
How would the economy of Pendle be described
It was mainly a pastoral economy (sheep and cattle) with limited arable farming
There was also a strong cloth industry (70% owned tools for this)
Why were the residents at constant risk of eviction in the 16th and 17th centuries
Rent increased by 39% and inflation grew
Enclosure took land away from tenants and sold/rented it out to other people
How did the population of Pendle change
It increased all over the country' by the 1500's the population had grown to half of pre-black death levels
In Pendle , there were 24 in 1443, by 1650 it had increased to around 1620
How did the relationship between the Duchy of Lancaster and the copyholders change
They were expected to pay a lump sum of 12 years rent to confirm their rights
Many could not afford and either evicted or increased rent for their tenants
How did London View Lancashire in terms of religion
An ignorant corner where Catholicism was still active, Lancashire historically had looked after recusant catholics
Why had Whalley abbey been a valuable resource for Pendle
It provided cloth, grain and money for the local residents
What impact did the dissolution of Whalley Abbey have on Pendle and the surrounding area
It took away a valuable source of income and support
Without catholic influence, a group of puritan ministers had more and more influence
The new parish had a population of 10,000 people and they couldn't be cared for properly
What happened on 18th March 1612
John law, a pedlar was travelling with his wares when Alison device asked him for some pins - John law refused
Alison muttered a curse and he presumably suffered a stroke and encountered her familiar (a black dog)
How did Alison device respond
She believed she was a witch and confessed to using a curse and a familiar
What was the family rivalry between Alison device's family and Anne Redferne's family
Old Demdike-Alison's grandmother
Old chattox - Anne's grandmother
Accused each other of stealing and theft, particularly grain and a cap
Alison's father nad promised to pay grain yearly but this ended when n died - the accusations returned
Who was Roger Nowell
An experienced jp and local land owner, he had been High sheriff of Lancashire and had strong connections with profile Protestants
What was Nowellâs involvement
He led investigation into Alison device it is unclear whether he went in knowing he was going to convict
He was familiar with the pact with the devil from the work of William Perkins
What did Alison device confess after an interrogation with Nowell
She accused old chattox of murder through witchcraft along with other examples of magic
Accused Old demdike of being a witch
Old chattox, old demdike and Anne redferne are taken in for questioning
What did Old Demdike confess to?
Inability to evoke the name of Jesus
Having a familair named Tinn, and suckling him
Making an effigy of a person to bewitch them
What did Nowell potentially do to Old Demdike
Torture her
What were Old Demdikes accusations
Old Chattox and Ann made figures out of clay - Tibb told her these were effigies of Christopher Nutter, Robert Nutter and Marie Nutter
Christopher Nutter had accused Old Chattox on his deathbed in 1595
Alison was searched by Nowell for something, what was it
the devils mark
her mother Elizabeth was also serched, she admitted to having on for 40 years but was released
what does Nowell investigate
A sabbt at a graveyard in Newchurch- Elizabeth, James and Jennet Device are questioned, Jennet becomes the star witness at 9 years old
what does Jennet State
that at least 20 witches were present at the meeting at her house and that James had stolen a sheep to be eaten
James also revealed more names and named the meeting âGreat Assembly and Feastâ
What were the objecttives of the meeting
to free the women imprisioned at Lancashire castle by blowing it up
to perform a ritual to name Alison Devices spirit
to provide protection to Jenet Preston, a women identified as a witch
what happened after thr evidence from Jennet and James
11 people were imprisoned, including the original suspects
Old Demdike dies shortly arriving at the castle - Old Chattox then tries to lay more blame on her
Who were the judges at the trial
Sir James Altham, one of the most senior Judges in England, strongly protestant
Sir Edward bromley - another senior judge, Highly trusted by the King
Both wanted the kings favour, Bromley had just been knoghted and wanted to be closer to London
When did the trial take place
18th-19th August in Lancaster
All but one pleaded not guilty How
How were the judges percived
As being rational and wise men but they were prepared to accept dubious evidence probably aquired under torture
James Altham had recenlty sent an innpcent woman to the gallows in Yorkshire based on the evidence of Jennet
Who acted as prosecutor
Roger Nowell, all JPâs and witnesses involved had to be present at the trial
Name: Old Chattox
Evidence:
Previous accusations from Old Demdike
Personal confession in court Eliza
Name: Elizabeth Device
Evidence:
Witness statement from her daughter Jennet Device Name
Name: James Device
Evidence:
Witness statement from his sister Jennet Device
Name: Anne Redferne
Evidence:
Previous accusations from Old Demdike
Old Chattox, pleaded for her to be saved
Name: Alice Nutter
Evidence:
Selected in a line up by Jennet Device
Witness statement from Jennet Device
Name: Katherine Hewitt
Evidence:
Witness statement from James Device
Selected in a line up by Jennet Device
Name: John and Jane Bulcock
Evidence:
Identified by Jennet Device, despite not knowing them previously
Name: Alison Device
Evidence:
Her own confession and pleas for forgiveness
Name: Margaret Pearson
Evidence:
Witness statement from Old Chattox
What did Thomas Potts write
The wonderful Discoverie of Witches in the countie of Lancaster
the production of Potts account
Potts was clerk of the court which gave him unique insight
he was ordered to write it by the two judges so an account could go public
Potts was told which evidence to use closely monitored while writing
What was Potts background
brought up in the home of Thoman Knyvet, very strong protestant who appreheded Guy Fawkes
had wanted to be a lawyer but didnât go to university
a well reguarded civil servant
The objectives of Wonderful Discoverie
Provided an account that justified the trials
protected the reputation of Potts. Bromley and Altham to advance their carrers
can we trust the books account
canât say itâs totally unreliable because Potts had motive/ judges were involved
he was a well informed observers who sat through the trials, checked by Bromley
large number had atteneded, the trials werenât a secret
written in the immediate aftermath
Note 
Flashcard (47)