The 1612 Pendle witch trials remain one of England’s most infamous cases of mass hysteria, leading to ten executions at Lancaster Castle. Today, Pendle Hill attracts history enthusiasts and paranormal seekers, with tours exploring its eerie past. The tragic story of Jennet Device and her family's fate continues to captivate historians and folklore lovers alike.
Here our young features writer Jorja talks about what she learnt when researching the trials.
By Jorja F.
As you might have heard, witch trials took place all over the globe, but the most well-known trial that occurred in America was the Salem witch trials. The Salem witch trials have been taking everybody in a chokehold for ages, getting fame in movies like Hocus Pocus, and allowing you to forget about the other important witch trials in history—all the other important trials that took place where you live, in England.
In most places, trials would often use evidence based on children's stories and accusations. In other circumstances, people accused as a cruel joke despite being aware that civilians would take these claims seriously, an accusation was enough proof for the judge to hang all the accused without a second thought.
One of England's most known trials is the Pendle witch trials, where it's written that a 9-year-old sent her whole family to hang. Jennet Device was daughter to Elizabeth Device had half-siblings Alizon and James Device, and a grandmother nicknamed old Demdike.
Jennet Device's family all lived at old Demdike's house called Malkin Tower.
Old Demdike was described as a cunning woman, meaning 'a good witch', one who used her powers to help people as a form of income. Another way the family earned money was by begging, and this is how the entire tragedy unravelled.
According to Thomas Potts, one fateful day, Jennet's sister Alizon would go on a walk. On this walk she saw a man and decided to ask for some money.
He refused and carried on walking. She responded as she normally would
by saying a curse to him, and when the words left her mouth, the man fell
unconscious. Some men helped take him to an inn; Alizon followed and asked him for forgiveness multiple times. When this man's son found out, he reported this to their magistrate, Roger Nowell, who was in charge of hearing cases.
It's said that Alizon confessed to being a witch and accused Anne Whittle (A.K.A The Chattox)'s family, the Device's rivals, of also being witches. The Chattox then accused granny Demdike in retaliation. The Chattoxs family and young Jennet's sister and grandmother were all arrested, which is pretty petty, in my opinion.
During this period, James I ruled England and requested that followers loyal to him attend church on Fridays. The Device family, although aware of this request, threw a party with friends one Friday despite the imprisonment of Alizon Device and Demdike.
Apparently, some had rumoured that it was, in fact, a witch meeting. Leading the constable to charge in and arrest all eight attending for conspiring to blow up the prison where their family was held, leaving poor young Jennet alone in the house.
1612, on the day they were all brought to court, Alizon pleaded guilty to being a witch, and Jennet was brought to testify against her own family except old Demdike, who sadly passed away in prison. Elizabeth proclaimed innocence and protested her daughter, screaming at Jennet until she cried. Following this display, Elizabeth was dragged back to the dungeon so Jennet could calm herself and complete her testimony.
Jennet Device and James Device both denounced their mother of being a witch; despite this, James was still found guilty along with Alizon Device, Elizabeth Device, Ann Whittle (The Chattox), Ann Redfearn, Isobel Roby, Alice Nutter, Jane Bullock, and Catherin Hewitt. All were found guilty and hung at the hands of Jennet's denouncement of all involved. Jennet was there to watch them all hang, and there is no literacy on what happened to her after this incident, so one can only guess what happened to her.
Jennet's story lived, impacting future accusations and influencing Edmund Robinson; in 1634, they lied and accused Jennet and others of witchcraft. Upon arriving home late, Edmund claimed that he was taken by witches and turned into a horse, naming Jennet as one of the witches. During court, Edmund would crack under pressure and admit the story was inspired by the previous Pendle trial.
When it was time, all the people accused could leave, provided they paid a debt for being in prison. In my opinion, all outcomes were ridiculous; in fact, they were infuriating; both stories showed the reckless nature of children and the immaturity of adults throughout this time, leaving the thousands of accused members of society to pick up the crumbs left in life while the accusers got off scot-free.
By Jorja F.
JORJA'S REFERENCES AND RESEARCH:
Pendle Witch Trials Overview: The Pendle witch trials of 1612 are among the most famous in English history, with twelve individuals accused of witchcraft. Read more
Jennet Device's Testimony: Jennet Device, a nine-year-old girl, testified against her family, leading to their convictions. Read more
Family Background: The Device family, including Elizabeth Device and her children Alizon and James, lived with their grandmother, known as Old Demdike, at Malkin Tower. Read more
Old Demdike's Reputation: Old Demdike was reputed to be a "cunning woman," using her knowledge of herbs and folk remedies to help locals. Read more
Alizon Device's Encounter with John Law: Alizon Device allegedly cursed a pedlar named John Law after he refused to sell her pins, leading to his sudden illness. Read more
Accusations and Arrests: Alizon's confession implicated the rival Chattox family, leading to the arrests of both families. Read more
Malkin Tower Meeting: A gathering at Malkin Tower on Good Friday was reported as a witches' coven, resulting in further arrests. Read more
Trials and Executions: The trials took place in August 1612 at Lancaster Assizes. Read more Alizon Device pleaded guilty, while others, including Elizabeth Device, were found guilty based on testimonies, including that of Jennet Device. Read more Ten individuals were executed by hanging on August 20, 1612. Read more
Edmund Robinson's False Accusations: In 1634, Edmund Robinson falsely accused Jennet Device and others of witchcraft, leading to their arrests. Read more Robinson later admitted to fabricating the story, resulting in the release of the accused. Read more
A great watch: