Two old crones, blind and disfigured muttered muted incantations in the light of the moon over the forest of Pendle: cursing and curing at will, no one was safe from the dark magic that spread from their households. Friend and foe alike had much to fear from Old Demdike and Mother Chattox: who would they target next their malicious withcraft, and when would their reign of terror be broken?
The case of Those who have come to be known as the Pendle Witches is perhaps the most well-known of all English witch trials. Resulting in the execution of ten people, the tragic events were immortalised in The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster by court clerk Thomas Potts, an account that has intrigued and horrified many across the centuries that followed. What really took place during those dark days of 1612, and what led one of the largest groups of accused witches in English history to the gallows?
Elizabeth Southerns - known as Old Demdike - and Anne Whittle - Mother Chattox - had long lived in the Pendle area. Now elderly and in declining health, both Demdike and Chattox were well-known to their neighbours and thoseherbs and charms, often called upon to help when an animal or child sickened. The women were, however, greatly feared, their powers stemming, it was said, from pacts made with devils. For not only did they use their powers for good, but, when it suited them, they could turn them on those who displeased turn them on those who displeased them with deadly consequences. Anne Nutter died soon after Chattox had taken offence at her laughing, suspecting herself to be the cause of the youthful mirth. Chattox vowed to be even with her, and the girl fell sick and died. Likewise, after Demdike had quarrelled with Richard Baldwin, his daughter had died a year later. When Demdike was asked to aid John Nutter’s cow, instead of curing it, the cow had died after Demdike worked her magic.
