Pendle Hill Legend & The Pendle Witches
With Most Haunted's Phil Whyman

THE PENDLE WITCHES: A BRIEF HISTORY

In 1612 Thomas Potts worked as a clerk of the Lancaster courts in the North West of England, and it is here he was witness to what is now one of the most famous witch trials in English History;
the trial of The Pendle Witches.

Following instruction from the trial judges, Thomas recorded the proceedings and later they were published in the book ‘The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster'.
It is thanks to Thomas' documentation that we are able to learn what took place during the summer of 1612.

 

In total twelve men and women from the Pendle Hill area were accused ofwitchcraft and were believed to be involved in up to seventeen murders inthe area between them.
Ten out of the twelve stood trial at Lancaster Court, one other, Jennet Preston, stood trial in York and the final, Elizabeth Southerns died in Lancaster gaol awaiting the trial.
Out of the eleven who stood trial ten were found guilty and were executed by hanging in Lancaster. Jennet Preston was tried and executed in York in July 1612.

 

 

 

 

The following are the names of the infamous Pendle Witches:

Alizon Device
Elizabeth Device
James Device
Anne Whittle alias Chattox
Anne Redferne
Alice Nutter
Katherine Hewitt
John Bulcock
Jane Bulcock
Elizabeth Southerns alias Demdike (died awaiting trial in Lancaster Gaol)
Jennet Preston (tried & executed by hanging in York, July 1612)
Margaret Pearson (found guilty of witchcraft & imprisoned for one year)

Now almost 400 years on the Pendle Witches reputation has not dwindled, their crimes still shock and their evil presence is said to be one of the strongest witnessed by both residents and visitors to the area in which they dwelled so many years ago. Their malevolent spirits are more than happy to make themselves known to anyone who dares to summon them!

 

Dead Haunted Nights are now pleased to offer you a unique opportunity to spend the night in the shadow of Pendle Hill; join us for an experience you will never forget!