Lancashire - outcomes of the trial Flashcards
(24 cards)
when did Old Demdike die?
while held in the dungeon of Lancaster Castle
what occurred after Demdike’s death?
Chattox was examined and she changed her story
- placed more blame on Demdike
- claimed she’d heard Demdike confess to several murders
who were the judges involved in the case?
Sir James Altham
Sir Edward Bromley
certain that they wanted to gain the King’s favour, and positive convictions of witchcraft may have enabled them to do that
Sir James Altham
from an established gentry family
well respected, with a reputation as an orthodox Protestant
likely had similar views on witch-hunting as James I
Sir Edward Bromley
similar background to Altham
greatly trusted by the king - made mediator within the House of Lords over proposals for union between England and Scotland
what was the structure of the trial?
each suspected witch asked whether they believed themselves to be guilty - all but one pleaded not guilty
defendants couldn’t prepare beforehand, and they likely didn’t know their exact charges
judges were prepared to accept dubious evidence and confessions made under torture
Roger Nowell acted as prosector
what was Old Chattox charged with?
murder of Robert Nutter
pleaded not guilty
Old Chattox’s trial
Potts’ account tells us she spoke plainly
her statement to Nowell and Demdike’s statement against her were read out
confession of a witch was considered highly convincing evidence
tried to divert attention to Demdike, but was unsuccessful
eventually acknowledged that the evidence was true
what was Elizabeth Device charged with?
murders of John and James Marley, and Henry Mitton
Elizabeth Device’s trial
presented by Potts as an ugly, confrontational woman
Jennet brought out to give evidence against her
- Elizabeth cursed at her and caused her to cry
- states her mother had been a witch for 3-4 years and had seen her familiar
James’ testimony was read out which showed Elizabeth was involved in organising the meeting at Making Tower
denied her previous confession and spoke against her children
what was James Device charged with?
murder of Anne Towneley and John Duckworth
murder of John and Blaze Hargreaves - he’d never admitted to this and pleaded not guilty
James Device’s trial
Pott’s account tells us he showed signs of severe illness or weakness - unable to speak or stand
his confession was read aloud in court and he acknowledged it was true
Jennet gave evidence against him
Anne Redferne’s trial
tried for role in death of Robert Nutter
not found guilty due to weak evidence
later charged with murder of Christopher Nutter
- same evidence used against her as was used at Chattox’s trial
- Chattox tried to save her, but failed
Alice Nutter’s trial
charged with murder of Henry Milton
statements from Elizabeth, James, and Jennet agreed she was at the meeting
Jennet identified Alice in a line-up
refused to confess but was found guilty
Katherine Hewitt’s trial
accused of being at the meeting
charged with murder of a child
James Device’s statement read out as he references her
identity parade used
John and Jane Bulcock’s trials
accused of bewitching Jennet Device
Jennet identified them in the identity parade
evidence from James Device used
Alizon Device’s trial
John Law present, Alizon repeated original confession
Law gave evidence
Alizon asked him for forgiveness
when she was asked to restore his health, she sated she couldn’t
Margaret Pearson’s trial
had previously been accused and put on trial for witchcraft
accused of killing a horse
Old Chattox gave evidence against her
guilty - sentenced to 4 days of public humiliation
- lenient sentence showed lingering doubts associated with trying a woman who’d been taken to court twice
what was the jury’s verdict?
all were found guilty
what was the process of producing Pott’s account?
his account is entirely first-hand and provides insight
the judges ordered him to make an account that could be made public
- both took close interest and may have written sections themselves
Bromley checked and corrected it before publication in 1613
what was Thomas Pott’s background?
didn’t go to university, so couldn’t become a lawyer
took positions as clear in various courts, and later because a well-regarded civil servant
what was Pott’s aim with ‘The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches’?
hold up the trials as an example to others
what 2 objectives were fulfilled by ‘The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches’?
provided an account that justified the trials and could be read as a true version of events
protected reputations of Potts, Bromley, and Altham so they were able to advance their careers
how did ‘The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches’ fulfilling its aims?
edited speeches by Bromley and Altham to improve them
doesn’t include build-up of trials and the legal processes of bringing the cases to court
overview rather than word-for-word transcript
