Paranormal History

Ghosts beneath the waves…

If someone said to you “tell me of a haunted location” you may know of a few castles, manor houses or pub’s which have ghostly tales attached to them, ghosts it seems like dry land, or do they? If ghosts exist in places they have lived, loved, fought or died then why not at the bottom of the sea on the endless number of shipwrecks found in every sea and ocean. Judging from the varied reports from around the world it may seem to hold true that ghosts do indeed haunt vessels where ever they are, be it the Endeavour birthed at Dundee, what remains of the Mary Rose in Portsmouth, or even the many wrecks within the Chuuk Atoll in Micronesia. The Battle of Truk is something I have covered previously for a documentary and so I know much of the operations and the history of the Island, including the local (Trukese) beliefs in spirituality, essentially they believe everyone has two souls, one of which is kind, benevolent and good, the other is not, the good is seen as a mans reflection, the bad is his shadow. In Anthropologist Ward Goodenough’s 1963 book on Micronesian Spiritualism he states about the people of Truk that “a soul may… possess someone and thereby become a spirit active in human affairs.” Essentially a person can be good or bad because his good or bad soul is possessing him to be so.

However a Trukese spirit medium can sever this possession by eating preserved breadfruit, which apparently the soul’s spirits find repugnant. The German Capuchin Laurentius Bolling also wrote of the exact same practice in 1927. He also wrote of a ghost story before the events of February 1944, it tells of a man from Tol Island marrying a woman from Moen Island (Tol and Moen being two of the Atolls many Islands), because of the tribal warfare the young men of Moen didn’t like this so they killed him. He appeared before his own islanders, and his wife, and told them of his murder, it is said that, “As the sun arose in the morning sky, his spirit drifted on the wind until he had vanished”.

Chuuk Atoll today is a pleasant place, almost an island paradise; sandy shores, palm tree’s and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean greet many visitors to the Islands. Today we call if Chuuk, in the 1940’s it was called Truk (Chuuk being the Trukese word for Mountain). From 1942 to 1944 it was the headquarters of the Japanese Combined Fleet, within the atoll hundreds of ships came and went with supplies and troops, it was a very important place for the Japanese for they could reinforce other pacific islands which were under attack by the Allies, The Japanese believed Truk to be too heavily defended for the Allies to attack. In February 1944 the American’s launched Operation Hailstone to prove the Japanese wrong, to the Japanese this became known as トラック島空襲 Torakku-tō Kūshū, which means “the Airstrike on Truk Island. Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher had at his disposal Task Force 58, comprising many different naval assets, this was no invasion, this was to be an assault to destroy Truk Island, its infrastucture, its operations, and its defenders. Task Force 58 had as its aerial spearhead the carriers Enterprise, Yorktown, Essex, Intrepid and Bunker Hill, supported by the smaller carriers Bellau Wood, Cowpens, Cabot and Monterey. In total close to 600 aircraft to assault Truk where the Japanese had Cruisers, Destroyers, many transports and around 350 aircraft.

The attack lasted two days over 17th and 18th February 1944 and consisted of air assaults from the carriers as well as bombardments by the heavier battleships of Task Force 58. Japanese losses were devastating, in total 47 vessels (including 3 Cruisers and 4 Destroyers) were sunk inside or just outside the Atoll. The Japanese also lost 270 aircraft, most destroyed on the ground or shot down by better trained and better equipped US Navy and Marine pilots (it had been the other way round earlier in the war). The Americans lost just 40 people killed, 25 aircraft destroyed and no ships (though a battleship and an aircraft carrier were damaged just prior to the assault). A second raid in April 1944 destroyed what the first raid had missed. It wasn’t until the 2nd September 1945 that the Japanese surrendered Truk Island to officers from the USS Portland. It is said the Japanese left on Truk were close to starvation by their surrender, as Truk had been a Japanese possesion before the war there were some civilians who called it home too, many of them native Trukese, it wasn’t until late 1947 that American troops and sailors were allowed to go into the same areas as the Japanese and Trukese because of the hatred which they still felt towards the American personnel.

Many visitors come to dive the plethora of wrecks found in the vicinity, many people have reported seeing men standing on the decks of the ships, some manning now corroded anti-aircraft guns, some seen pointing as if to the sky. Some have reported hearing engine sounds from some of the ships or the sounds of screaming and shouting. It is possible that there is a natural explanation for all of this, and the many similar reports from wreck around the world. Nitrogen Narcosis is something which occurs on a regular basis when scuba diving, it is similar to being drunk on alchohol and can make people feel a variety of emotions from anxious to deeply at peace. In actual fact it follows the “Martini Law” of diving, that for every 10m down a person goes is the equivalent of drinking one Martini (seriously).

There are many siimilar stories from all over the world with regards underwater apparitions, for example beneath Lake Superior in the Great Lakes of North America lies the Emporer, an Iron ore transport Steamship which sunk in 1947 taking 12 men to their watery graves, divers here have seen a man lying in his bunk, another man in the engine room (where a body was recovered in the 1970’s) as well as the noise of engines and voices.I think I’ll leave the strangest story last, In 2007 holiday goers diving from the Wind Dancer close to Grenada were joined by a felow scuba diver, all the divers from the cruise ship had the same gear on, their visitor wore a white tee-shirt and had different dive gear to them, they thought nothing of it at the time, they were diving a shipwreck which was well known. When they came to the surface the three people (of a group of around twelve) who had seen the man in the tee-shirt were talking about it when they noticed that their fellow diver had come with them, they then noticed the only boat was their own and the only way onto the boat was the way they had come. The men (Doctors) were adamant they saw a man in a white tee-shirt diving with them, despite none of the others seeing him, even the dive co-ordinator said it would be impossible for someone to swim from shore to the wreck site. It remains a mystery what, or who these people saw.

Thank you for your time.

CJ Linton.

Confessions of the Pendle Hill Witches.

These confessions are as written by Thomas Potts who was the Clerk of Accounts at the Lancaster Assizes and wrote the following in his book, "A Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster", which he dedicated to the man who had found Guy Fawkes beneath the Houses of Parliament, Lord Knyvet.

The following are confessions obtained under duress, the people who gave them did not do so freely, they would have been interrogated (as a legalised form of torture was so-called at this time) into giving the following tales, torture was banned by king and church at the time, however practices such as having red-hot irons placed on you was allowed, the afore mentioned Guy Fawkes (although no witch) was interrogated supposedly by having a cage with no bottom placed on his belly and a rat placed inside, then heat was applied to the cage top, the rat could only escape by gnawing and clawing through Guy Fawkes’ intestines. It is unlikely such abuse was directed at the Pendle Witches, however one died whilst in custody, fair enough she was 80 and had one leg, but it is also reported that James Device was almost dead when brought to court.

The first confessions are that of Alizon Device, who had started the whole story by placing a spell on a pedlar named John Law. All the accused Witches are referred to as the ‘Examinate’.

Alizon tells how her grandmother Demdike persuaded her to let a familiar spirit suck her blood

The said alizon device sayth, that about two years ago, her grandmother, (called elizabeth southerns, alias old demdike) did sundry times in going or walking together as they went begging persuade and advise this examinate to let a devil or a familiar appear to her; and that she, this examinate would let him suck at some part of her; and she might have and do what she would. And so not long after these perswasions, this examinate being walking towards the rough-lee, in a close of one john robinsons, there appeared unto her a thing like unto a blacke dogge: speaking unto her, this examinate, and desiring her to give him her soule, and he would give her power to do any thing she would: whereupon this examinate being therewithall inticed, and setting her downe; the said blacke-dogge did with his mouth (as this examinate then thought) sucke at her breast, a little below her paps, which place did remaine blew halfe a yeare next after: which said blacke-dogge did not appeare to this examinate, untill the eighteenth day of march last:

Alizon tells how her familiar suggested to her laming the pedlar John Law after he refused to sell her some pins

At which time this examinate met with a pedler on the high-way, called colne-field, neere unto colne: and this examinate demanded of the said pedler to buy some pinnes of him; but the said pedler sturdily answered this examinate that he would not loose his packe; and so this examinate parting with him: presently there appeared to this examinate the blackedogge, which appeared unto her as before: which black dogge spake unto this examinate in english, saying; what wouldst thou have me to do unto yonder man? To whom this examinate said,what canst thou do at him? And the dogge answered againe, I can lame him: whereupon this examinat answered, and said to the said black dogge, lame him: and before the pedler was gone fortie roddes further, he fell downe lame: and this examinate then went after the said pedler, and in a house about the distance aforesaid, he was lying lame: and so this examinate went begging in trawden forrest that day, and came home at night: and about five dayes next after, the said black-dogge did appeare to this examinate, as she was going a begging, in a cloase neere the new-church in pendle, and spake againe to her, saying; stay and speake with me, but this examinate would not: sithence which time this examinat never saw him.

Alizon tells how Demdike (her Grandmother) bewitched to death a cow belonging to John Nutter

And she further sayth, that one john nutter of the bulhole in pendle aforesaid, had a cow which was sicke, & requested this examinats grand-mother to amend the said cow; and her said graund-mother said she would, and so her said graund-mother about ten of the clocke in the night, desired this examinate to lead her forth; which this examinate did, being then blind: and her graund-mother did remaine about halfe an houre forth: and this examinates sister did fetch her in againe; but what she did when she was so forth, this examinate cannot tell. But the next morning, this examinate heard that the sayd cow was dead. And this examinate verily thinketh, that her sayd graund-mother did bewitch the sayd cow to death.

Alizon tells how Demdike changed milk into to butter using witchcraft

And further, this examinate sayth, that about two yeares agon, this examinate having gotten a piggin full of blew milke by begging, brought it into the house of her graund-mother, where (this examinate going forth presently, and staying about halfe an houre) there was butter to the quantity of a quarterne of a pound in the said milke, and the quantitie of the said milke still remayning; and her graund-mother had no butter in the house when this examinate went forth: during which time, this examinates graund-mother still lay in her bed.

Alizon tells how Demdike bewitched to death the daughter of Richard Baldwin

And further this examinate sayth, that richard baldwin of weethead within the forrest of pendle, about 2 yeeres agoe, fell out with this examinates graund-mother, & so would not let her come upon his land: and about foure or five dayes then next after, her said graund-mother did request this examinate to lead her forth about ten of the clocke in the night: which this examinate accordingly did, and she stayed forth then about an houre, and this examinates sister fetched her in againe. And this examinate heard the next morning, that a woman child of the sayd richard baldwins was fallen sicke; and as this examinate did then heare, the sayd child did languish afterwards by the space of a yeare, or thereaboutes, and dyed: and this examinate verily thinketh, that her said graundmother did bewitch the sayd child to death. And further, this examinate sayth, that she heard her sayd graund-mother say presently after her falling out with the sayd baldwin, shee would pray for the sayd baldwin both still and loude: and this examinate heard her curse the sayd baldwin sundry times.

Alizon tells how she believed Chattox's family had burgled her home (you also have to remember this was

essentially two families condemning one another, the Device’s and the Whittle’s)

This examinate saith, that about eleven yeares agoe, this exarninate and her mother had their fire-house broken, and all, or the most part of their linnen clothes, & halfe a peck of cut oat-meale, and a quantitie of meale gone, all which was worth twentie shillings or above: and upon a sunday then next after, this examinate did take a band and a coife, parcell of the goods aforesaid, upon the daughter of anne whittle, alias chattox, and claimed them to be parcell of the goods stolen, as aforesaid.

Alizon tells how Chattox bewitched to death her father after he failed to pay for protection

And this examinate further saith, that her father, called john device, being afraid, that the said anne chattox should do him or his goods any hurt by witchcraft; did covenant with the said anne, that if she would hurt neither of them, she should yearely have one aghen-dole of meale; which meale was yearely paid, untill the yeare which her father died in, which was about eleven yeares since: her father upon his then-death-bed, taking it that the said anne whittle, alias chattox, did bewitch him to death, because the said meale was not paid the last yeare.

Alizon tells how Chattox bewitched to death her friend Anne Nutter after she laughed at Chattox

And she also saith, that about two yeares agone, this examinate being in the house of anthony nutter of pendle aforesaid, and being then in company with anne nutter, daughter of the said anthony: the said anne whittle, alias chattox, came into the said anthony nutters house, and seeing this examinate, and the said anne nutter laughing, and saying, that they laughed at her the said chattox: well said then (sayes anne chattox) i will be meet with the one of you. And upon the next day after, she the said anne nutter fell sicke, and within three weekes after died.

Alizon tells how Chattox bewitched to death the child of John Moore after he accused her of bewitching his beer

And further, this examinate saith, that about two yeares agoe, she, this examinate, hath heard, that the said anne whittle, alias chattox, was suspected for bewitching the drinke of john moore of higham gentleman: and not long after, shee this examinate heard the said chattox say, that she would meet with the said john moore, or his. Whereupon a child of the said john moores, called john, fell sicke, and languished about halfe a yeare, and then died: during which languishing, this examinate saw the said chattox sitting in her owne garden, and a picture of clay like unto a child in her apron; which this examinate spying, the said anne chattox would have hidde with her apron: and this examinate declaring the same to her mother, her mother thought it was the picture of the said john moores childe.

Alizon tells how Chattox bewitched to death Hugh Moore, after he accused Chattox of bewitching his cattle

And she this examinate further saith, that about sixe or seven yeares agoe, the said chattox did fall out with one hugh moore of pendle, as aforesaid, about certaine cattle of the said moores, which the said moore did charge the said chattox to have bewitched: for which the said chattox did curse and worry the said moore, and said she would be revenged of the said moore: whereupon the said moore presently fell sicke, and languished about halfe a yeare, and then died. Which moore upon his death-bed said, that the said chattox had bewitched him to death.

Alizon tells how Chattox charmed milk and bewitched to death a cow belonging to John Nutter

And she further saith, that about sixe yeares agoe, a daughter of the said anne chattox, called elizabeth, having been at the house of john nutter of the bull-hole, to begge or get a dish full of milke, which she had, and brought to her mother, who was about a fields breadth of the said nutters house, which her said mother anne chattox tooke and put into a kan, and did charne the same with two stickes acrosse in the same field: whereupon the said john nutters sonne came unto her, the said chattox, and misliking her doings, put the said kan and milke over with his foot; and the morning next after, a cow of the said john nutters fell sicke, and so languished three or foure dayes, and then died.

Next is the confession of Elizabeth Southerns, known as ‘Old Demdike’. She died during interrogation aged 80 and one legged.

Demdike tells how she sold her soul to a spirit named 'Tibb'

The said elizabeth southerns confesseth, and sayth; that about twentie yeares past, as she was comming homeward from begging, there met her this examinate neere unto a stonepit in gouldshey, in the sayd forrest of pendle, a spirit or devill in the shape of a boy, the one halfe of his coate blacke, and the other browne, who bade this examinate stay, saying to her, that if she would give him her soule, she should have any thing that she would request. Whereupon this examinate demanded his name? And the spirit answered, his name was tibb: and so this examinate in hope of such gaine as was promised by the sayd devill or tibb, was contented to give her soule to the said spirit: and for the space of five or sixe yeares next after, the sayd spirit or devill appeared at sundry times unto her this examinate about day-light gate, alwayes bidding her stay, and asking her this examinate what she would have or do. To whom this examinate replyed, nay nothing: for she this examinate said, she wanted nothing yet.

Demdike tells how 'Tibb' drank her blood

And so about the end of the said sixe yeares, upon a sabboth day in the morning, this examinate having a litle child upon her knee, and she being in a slumber, the sayd spirit appeared unto her in the likenes of a browne dogg, forcing himselfe to her knee, to get blood under her left arme: and she being without any apparrell saving her smocke, the said devill did get blood under her left arme. And this examinate awaking, sayd, jesus save my child; but had no power, nor could not say, jesus save her selfe: whereupon the browne dogge vanished out of this examinats sight: after which, this examinate was almost starke madd for the space of eight weekes.

Demdike tells how 'Tibb' suggested to her avenging the family of Richard Baldwin after he refused to pay her daughter wages

And upon her examination, she further confesseth, and saith. That a little before christmas last, this examinates daughter having been to helpe richard baldwyns folkes at the mill: this examinates daughter did bid her this examinate goe to the said baldwyns house, and aske him some thing for her helping of his folkes at the mill, (as aforesaid:) and in this examinates going to the said baldwyns house, and neere to the said house, she mette with the said richard baldwyn; which baldwyn sayd to this examinate, and the said alizon device (who at that time ledde this examinate, being blinde) get out of my ground whores and witches, i will burne the one of you, and hang the other. To whom this examinate answered: i care not for thee, hang thy selfe: presently whereupon, at this examinates going over the next hedge, the said spirit or devill called tibb, appeared unto this examinat, and sayd, revenge thee of him. To whom, this examinate sayd againe to the said spirit. Revenge thee either of him, or his. And so the said spirit vanished out of her sight, and she never saw him since.

Demdike explains how to kill someone using 'pictures of clay'

And further this examinate confesseth, and sayth, that the speediest way to take a mans life away by witchcraft, is to make a picture of clay, like unto the shape of the person whom they meane to kill, & dry it thorowly: and when they would have them to be ill in any one place more then an other; then take a thorne or pinne, and pricke it in that part of the picture you would so have to be ill: and when you would have any part of the body to consume away, then take that part of the picture, and burne it. And when they would have the whole body to consume away, then take the remnant of the sayd picture, and burne it: and so thereupon by that meanes, the body shall die.

Demdike tells how she saw Chattox and her daughter Anne Redferne making 'pictures of clay' (remember the two familes were at loggerheads)

The said elizabeth southernes saith upon her examination, that about halfe a yeare before robert nutter died, as this examinate thinketh, this examinate went to the house of thomas redfearne, which was about mid-summer, as this examinate remembreth it. And there within three yards of the east end of the said house, shee saw the said anne whittle, alias chattox, and anne redferne wife of the said thomas redferne, and daughter of the said anne whittle, alias chattox: the one on the one side of the ditch, and the other on the other: and two pictures of clay or marle lying by them: and the third picture the said anne whittle, alias chattox, was making: and the said anne redferne her said daughter, wrought her clay or marle to make the third pictrure withall. And this examinate passing by them, the said spirit, called tibb, in the shape of a black cat, appeared unto her this examinate, and said, turne back againe, and do as they do: to whom this examinate said, what are they doing ? Whereunto the said spirit said; they are making three pictures: whereupon she asked whose pictures they were? Whereunto the said spirit said: they are the pictures of christopher nutter, robert nutter, and marie, wife of the said robert nutter:

Demdike tells how 'Tibb' pushed her into a ditch

But this examinate denying to goe back to helpe them to make the pictures aforesaid; the said spirit seeming to be angrie, therefore shove or pushed this examinate into the ditch, and so shed the milke which this examinate had in a can or kit: and so thereupon the spirit at that time vanished out of this examinates sight: but presently after that, the said spirit appeared to this examinate againe in the shape of a hare, and so went with her about a quarter of a mile, but said nothing to this examinate, nor shee to it.

The Confession of Anne Whittle, known as ‘Old Chattox’

Chattox tells how she sold her soul to a spirit named 'Fancie' in return for powers of revenge

The sayd anne whittle, alias chattox, upon her examination, voluntarily confesseth, and sayth, that about foureteene or fifteene yeares agoe, a thing like a christian man for foure yeares togeather, did sundry times come to this examinate, and requested this examinate to give him her soule: and in the end, this examinate was contented to give him her sayd soule, shee being then in her owne house, in the forrest of pendle; whereupon the devill then in the shape of a man, sayd to this examinate: thou shalt want nothing; and be revenged of whom thou list. And the devill then further commanded this examinate, to call him by the name of fancie; and when she wanted any thing, or would be revenged of any, call on fancie, and he would be ready.

Chattox tells how 'Fancie' asked her to hurt the wife of Richard Baldwin of Pendle

And the sayd spirit or devill, did appeare unto her not long after, in mans likenesse, and would have had this examinate to have consented, that he might hurt the wife of richard baldwin of pendle; but this examinate would not then consent unto him: for which cause, the sayd devill would then have bitten her by the arme; and so vanished away, for that time.

Chattox tells how she asked 'Fancie' to avenge Robert Nutter after he tried to seduce her daughter

And this examinate further sayth, that robert nutter did desire her daughter one redfearns wife, to have his pleasure of her, being then in redfearns house: but the sayd redfearns wife denyed the sayd robert; wherevpon the sayd robert seeming to be greatly displeased therewith, in a great anger tooke his horse, and went away, saying in a great rage, that if ever the ground came to him, shee should never dwell upon his land. Whereupon this examinate called fancie to her; who came to her in the likenesse of a man in a parcell of ground called, the laund; asking this examinate, what shee would have him to do? And this examinate bade him go revenge her of the sayd robert nutter. After which time, the sayd robert nutter lived about a quarter of a yeare, and then dyed.

Chattox tells how previously she and two other women where asked by Elizabeth Nutter to kill her grandson, the same Robert Nutter

And this examinate further sayth, that elizabeth nutter, wife to old robert nutter, did request this examinate, and loomeshaws wife of burley, and one jane boothman, of the same, who are now both dead, (which time of request, was before that robert nutter desired the company of redfearns wife) to get young robert nutter his death, if they could; all being togeather then at that time, to that end, that if robert were dead, then the women their cousins might have the land: by whose perswasion, they all consented unto it. After which time, this examinates sonne in law thomas redfearne, did perswade this examinate, not to kill or hurt the sayd robert nutter; for which perswasion, the sayd loomeshaws wife, had like to have killed the sayd redfearne, but that one m. Baldwyn (the late school master at colne) did by his learning, stay the sayd loomeshaws wife, and therefore had a capon from redfearne. And this examinate further sayth, that she thinketh the sayd loomeshaws wife, and jane boothman, did what they could to kill the sayd robert nutter, as well as this examinate did.

Chattox tells how she used a charm to mend bewitched ale belonging to John Moore

She the said examinate saith, that shee was sent for by the wife of john moore, to helpe drinke that was forspoken or bewitched: at which time shee used this prayer for the amending of it, viz.

A charme

Three biters hast thou bitten,

The hart, ill eye, ill tonge:

Three bitter shall be thy boote,

Father, sonne, and holy ghost A gods name.

Fine pater-nosters, fine avies And a creede,

In worship of five wounds

Of our lord.

After which time that this examinate had used these prayers, and amended her drinke, the said moores wife did chide this examinate, and was grieved at her.

Chattox tells how she called on 'Fancie' to kill a cow belonging to the same John Moore

And thereupon this examinate called for her devill fancie, and bad him goe bite a browne cow of the said moores by the head, and make the cow goe madde: and the devill then, in the likenesse of a browne dogge, went to the said cow, and bit her: which cow went madde accordingly, and died within six weekes next after, or thereabouts.

Chattox tells how 'Fancie' last appeared to her in the shape of a bear

And further this examinate saith, that the devill, or fancie, hath taken most of her sight away from her. And further this examinate saith, that in summer last, save one, the said devill, or fancie, came upon this examinate in the night time: and at diverse and sundry times in the likenesse of a beare, gaping as though he would have wearied this examinate. And the last time of all shee, this examinate, saw him, was upon thursday last yeare but one, next before midsummer day, in the evening, like a beare, and this examinate would not then speake unto him, for the which the said devill pulled this examinate downe.

Chattox tells how she called on 'Fancie' to kill a cow belonging to Anthony Nutter

Also this examinate saith, that shee perceiving anthonie nutter of pendle to favour elizabeth sothernes, alias demdike, she, this examinate, called fancie to her, (who appeared like a man) and bad him goe kill a cow of the said anthonies; which the said devill did, and that cow died also.

Chattox gave evidence that lead to the conviction of Margaret Pearson, who was found guilty of witchcraft, but not

murder, and gaoled for a year.

Chattox tells how she and Magaret Pearson bewitched to death a mare belonging to the Dodgeson family

The said anne chattox being examined saith, that the wife of one pearson of paddiham, is a very evill woman, and confessed to this examinate, that shee is a witch, and hath a spirit which came to her the first time in likenesse of a man, and cloven footed, and that shee the said pearsons wife hath done very much harme to one dodgesons goods, who came in at a loope-hole into the said dodgesons stable, and shee and her spirit together did sit upon his horse or mare, untill the said horse or mare died.

Chattox tells how Magaret Pearson confessed to bewitching to death the wife and daughter of the Childers family

And likewise, that shee the said pearsons wife did confesse unto her this examinate, that shee bewitched unto death one childers wife, and her daughter, and that shee the said pearsons wife is as ill as shee.

Chattox tells how Demdike persuaded her to become a witch (theres a shock)

First, the sayd anne whittle, alias chattox, sayth, that about foureteene yeares past she entered, through the wicked perswasions and counsell of elizabeth sotherns, alias demdike, and was seduced to condiscend & agree to become subject unto that devilish abhominable profession of witchcraft: soone after which, the devill appeared unto her in the liknes of a man, about midnight, at the house of the sayd demdike: and thereupon the sayd demdike and shee, went foorth of the said house unto him; whereupon the said wicked spirit mooved this examinate, that she would become his subject, and give her soule unto him: the which at first, she refused to assent unto; but after, by the great perswasions made by the sayd demdike, shee yeelded to be at his cormmandement and appointment: whereupon the sayd wicked spirit then sayd unto her, that hee must have one part of her body for him to sucke upon; the which shee denyed then to grant unto him; and withall asked him, what part of her body hee would have for that use; who said, hee would have a place of her right side neere to her ribbes, for him to sucke upon: whereunto shee assented. And she further sayth, that at the same time, there was a thing in the likenes of a spotted bitch, that came with the sayd spirit unto the sayd demdike, which then did speake unto her in this examinates hearing, and sayd, that she should have gold, silver, and worldly wealth, at her will.

Chattox describes a supernatural feast at Malkin Tower, the home of Demdike

And at the same time she saith, there was victuals, vis. Flesh, butter, cheese, bread, and drinke, and bidde them eate enough. And after their eating, the devill called fancie, and the other spirit calling himselfe tibbe, carried the remnant away: and she sayeth, that although they did eate, they were never the fuller, nor better forthe same; and that at their said banquet, the said spirits gave them light to see what they did, although they neyther had fire nor candle light; and that they were both shee spirites, and devils.

Chattox tells how Demdike helped her to murder Robert Nutter and how she confessed to killing Richard

Ashton

And being further examined how many sundry persons have been bewitched to death, and by whom they were so bewitched: she sayth, that one robert nutter, late of the greene-head in pendle, was bewitched by this examinate, the said demdike, and widdow lomshawe, (late of burnley) now deceased. And she further sayth, that the said demdike shewed her, that she had bewitched to death, richard ashton, sonne of richard ashton of downeham esquire.

Confession of James Device, James lived at Malkin Tower with his mother Elizabeth Device, his grandmother Elizabeth Southerns, alias Demdike, and his sisters Alizon and Jennet (aged nine who testified against everyone else, a few years later she owned up to making it all up).

James tells how Demdike asked him to steal bread from communion

He saith, that upon sheare thursday was two yeares, his grand-mother elizabeth southernes, alias demdike, did bid him this examinate goe to the church to receive the communion (the next day after being good friday) and then not to eate the bread the miniister gave him, but to bring it and deliver it to such a thing as should meet him in his way homewards: notwithstanding her perswasions, this examinate did eate the bread: and so in his comming homeward some fortie roodes off the said church, there met the examinate, and asked him whether hee had brought the bread that his grand-mother had bidden him, or no? Whereupon this examinate answered, hee had not: and thereupon the said thing threatened to pull this examinate in peeces, and so this examinate thereupon marked himselfe to god, and so the said thing vanished out of this examinates sight.

James tells how he sold his soul to a familiar spirit in the form of a brown dog

And within some foure dayes after that, there appeared in this examinates sight, hard by the new church in pendle, a thing like unto a browne dogge, who asked this examinate to give him his soule, and he should be revenged of any whom hee would: whereunto this examinate answered, that his soule was not his to give, but was his saviour jesus christs, but as much as was in him this examinate to give, he was contented he should have it

James tells how he bewitched to death Anne Towneley after she accused him and his mother of stealing some turves (peat).

And within two or three dayes after, this examinate went to the carre-hall, and upon some speeches betwixt mistris towneley and this examinate; shee charging this examinate and his said mother, to have stolen some turves of hers, badde him packe the doores: and withall as he went forth of the doore, the said misstris towneley gave him a knock betweene the shoulders: and about a day or two after that, there appeared unto this examinate in his way, a thing like unto a black dog, who put this examinate in minde of the said mistris towneleyes falling out with him this examinate; who bad this examinate make a picture of clay, like unto the said mistris towneley: and that this examinate with the helpe of his spirit (who then ever after bidde this examinate to call it dandy) would kill or destroy the said mistris towneley: and so the said dogge vanished out of this examinates sight. And the next morning after, this examinate tooke clay, and made a picture of the said mistris towneley, and dried it the same night by the fire: and within a day after, hee, this examinate began to crumble the said pidiure, every day some, for the space of a weeke: and within two dayes after all was crumbled away; the said mistris towneley died.

James tells how he bewitched to death John Duckworth after Duckworth refused to give him a shirt he had promised

And hee further saith, that in lent last one john duckworth of the lawnde, promised this examinate an old shirt: and within a fortnight after, this examinate went to the said duckworthes house, and demanded the said old shirt; but the said duckworth denied him thereof. And going out of the said house, the said spirit dandy appeared unto this examinate, and said, thou didst touch the said duckworth, whereunto this examinate answered, he did not touch him: yes (said the spirit againe) thou didst touch him, and therefore i have power of him: whereupon this examinate joyned with the said spirit, and then wished the said spirit to kill the said duckworth: and within one weeke, then next after, duckworth died.

James describes strange occurances around Malkin Tower

The sayd examinate james device sayth, that about a month agoe, as this examinate was comming towards his mother house, and at day-gate of the same night, this examinate mette a browne dogge comming from his graund-mothers house, about tenne roodes distant from the same house: and about two or three nights after, that this examinate heard a voyce of a great number of children screiking and crying pittifully, about day-light gate; and likewise, about ten roodes distant of this examinates sayd graund-mothers house. And about five nights then next following, presently after daylight, within 20 roodes of the sayd elitabeth southerns house, he heard a foule yelling like unto a great number of cattes: but what they were, this examinate cannot tell. And he further sayth, that about three nights after that about midnight of the same, there came a thing, and lay upon him very heavily about an houre, and went then from him out of his chamber window, coloured; blacke, and about the bignesse of a hare or catte.

James device tells how Alizon confessed to bewitching the child of Henry Bullock (although James is incriminating his own sister, from the recorded state he was in at his trial he must have been treated severely during his incarceration)

And he further sayth, that about s. peters day last, one henry bullocke came to the sayd elizabeth southerns house, and sayd, that her graund-child alizon device, had bewitched a child of his, and desired her that she would goe with him to his house; which accordingly she did: and there upon she the said alizon fell downe on her knees, & asked the said bullocke forgivenes, and confessed to him, that she had bewitched the said child, as this examinate heard his said sister confesse unto him this examinate.

James tells how Chattox stole three skulls (scalpes) and eight teeth from a graveyard

And further saith, that twelve yeares agoe, the said anne chattox at a buriall at the new church in pendle, did take three scalpes of people, which had been buried, and then cast out of a grave, as she the said chattox told this examinate; and tooke eight teeth out of the said scalpes, whereof she kept foure to her selfe, and gave other foure to the said demdike, this examinates grand-mother: which foure teeth now shewed to this examinate, are the foure teeth that the said chattox gave to his said grand-mother, as aforesaid;

James tells how Demdike, Elizabeth Device and Alice Nutter killed Henry Mitton

The said examinate saith upon his oath, that hee heard his grand-mother say, about a yeare ago, that his mother, called elizabeth device, and his grand-mother, and the wife of richard nutter (alice nutter), of the rough-lee aforesaid, had killed one henry mitton, of the roughlee aforesaid, by witchcraft. The reason wherefore he was so killed, was for that this examinates said grandmother had asked the said mitton a penny: and hee denying her thereof; thereupon shee procured his death as aforesaid.

James tells how Elizabeth Device killed John Robinson using a 'picture of clay'

And he, this examinate also saith, that about three yeares ago, this examinate being in his grand-mothers house, with his said mother; there came a thing in shape of a browne dogge, which his mother called ball, who spake to this examinates mother, in the sight and hearing of this examinate, and bad her make a picture of clay like unto john robinson, alias swyer, and drie it hard, and then crumble it by little and little; and as the said picture should crumble or mull away, so should the said john robinson alias swyer his body decay and weare away. And within two or three dayes after, the picture shall so all be wassted, and mulled away; so then the said john robinson should die presently. Upon the agreement betwixt the said dogge and this examinates mother; the said dogge suddenly vanished out of this examinates sight. And the next day, this examinate saw his said mother take clay at the west-end of her said house, and make a picture of it after the said robinson, and brought into her house, and dried it some two dayes: and about two dayes after the drying thereof, this examinates said mother fell on crumbling the said picture of clay, every day some, for some three weekes together; and within two dayes after all was crumbled or mulled away, the said john robinson died.

James tells how he saw Anne Redferne with a 'pictures of clay'

The said examinate upon his oath saith, that about two yeares agoe, hee this examinate saw three pictures of clay, of halfe a yard long, at the end of redfernes house, which redferne had one of the pictures in his hand, marie his daughter had another in her hand, and the said redfernes wife (anne redferne the witch), now prisoner at lancaster, had an other picture in her hand, which picture she the said redfernes wife, was then crumbling, but whose pictures they were, this examinate cannot tell.

James tells how a hare spat fire at him

And at his returning back againe, some ten roods off them there appeared unto him this examinate a thing like a hare, which spit fire at him this examinate.

James gave importance evidence about a great meeting at Malkin Tower. The meeting was the first alledged witches sabbat in English legal history.

James's evidence (corraborated by the testimony of his nine year old sister Jennet, and his mother Elizabeth) helped to convict many of those present: Katherine Hewitt, alias Mouldheels, Elizabeth Device (James's mother), Alice Nutter, Jennet Preston, John Bulcock and his mother Jane Bulcock.

James describes how he stole a 'wether' (a sheep) for the meeting at Malkin Tower

And being examined, he further saith, that upon sheare thursday last, in the evening, he this examinate stole a wether from john robinson of barley, and brought it to his grand-mothers house, old demdike, and there killed it: and that upon the day following, being good-friday, about twelve of the clocke in the day time, there dined in this examinates mothers house a number of persons, whereof three were men, with this examinate, and the rest women; and that they met there for three causes following, as this examinates said mother told this examinate.

James describes the three causes of the meeting at Malkin Tower: the naming of Alizon's spirit, the blowing up of Lancaster gaol, and the avenging of Thomas Lister on behalf of Jennet Preston

i. The first was, for the naming of the spirit which alizon device, now prisoner at lancaster, had, but did not name him, because she was not there.

ii. The second cause was, for the deliverie of his said grand-mother; this examinates said sister alizon; the said anne chattox, and her daughter redferne; killing the gaoler at lancaster; and before the next assises to blow up the castle there, to the end the aforesaid persons might by that meanes make an escape & get away: all which this examinate then heard them conferre of.

iii. And the third cause was, for that there was a woman dwelling in gisborne parish, who came into this examinates said grandmothers house, who there came and craved assistance of the rest of them that were then there, for the killing of master lister of westby, because (as shee then said) he had borne malice unto her, and had thought to have put her away at the last assises at yorke, but could not: and this examinate heard the said woman say, that her power was not strong enough to do it her selfe, being now lesse then before time it had beene. And also, that the said jennet preston had a spirit with her like unto a white foale, with a blacke spot in the forhead.

James names those present at the meeting at Malkin Tower

And he also saith, that the names of the said witches as were on good-friday at this examinates said grandmothers house, & now this examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as he did know, were these, viz. The wife of hugh hargreives of barley; the wife of christopher bulcock of the mosse end, and john her sonne; the mother of myles nutter; elizabeth, the wife of christopher hargreives, of thurniholme; christopher howgate, and elizabeth his wife; alice graye of colne, and one mouldheeles wife, of the same: and this examinate, and his mother.

James tells how Katherine Hewitt and Alice Gray confessed to killing Anne Foulds

And hee also saith, that they were witches; and that the names of the said witches, that were there, for so many of them as he did know, were amongst others katherine hewyt, wife of john hewyt, alias mould-heeles, of colne, in the countie of lancaster clothier; and that the said witch, called katherine hewyt, alias moudheeles, and one alice gray, did confesse amongst the said witches at their meeting at malkin tower aforesaid, that they had killed foulds wifes child, called anne foulds, of colne: and also said, that they had then in hanck a child of micheal hartleys of colne.

James tells how John and Jane Bulcock confessed to bewitching Jennet Deyne

And further he saith, that the said john bulcock and jane his said mother, did confesse upon good-friday last, at the said malking-tower, in the hearing of this examinate, that they had bewitched, at the new-field edge in yorkeshire, a woman called jennet, wife of john deyne, besides, her reason; and the said womans name so bewitched, he did not heare them speake of.

James tells how the witches agreed to kill Thomas and Leonard Lister

And he also saith, that the names of the said witches as were on good-friday at this examinates said grandmothers house, & now this examinates owne mothers, for so many of them as he did know, were these, viz. The wife of hugh hargreives of barley; the wife of christopher bulcock of the mosse end, and john her sonne; the mother of myles nutter; elizabeth, the wife of christopher hargreives, of thurniholme; christopher howgate, and elizabeth his wife; alice graye of colne, and one mouldheeles wife, of the same: and this examinate, and his mother.

James describes the departure of the witches from Malkin Tower

And this examinate further saith, that all the said witches went out of the said house in their owne shapes and likenesses. And they all, by that they were forth of the dores, were gotten on horsebacke, like unto foales, some of one colour, some of another; and prestons wife was the last: and when shee got on horsebacke, they all presently vanished out of this exarninates sight. And before their said parting away, they all appointed to meete at the said pretons wives house that day twelve-months; at which time the said prestons wife promised to make them a great feast. And if they had occasion to meete in the meane time, then should warning be given, that they all should meete upon romleyes moore.

For more details on the trial of the Pendle Witches see the relevant article, all I can say is thank god we don’t live in the same world these unfortunate people did.

Thank you for your time.

CJ Linton.

Pendle Hill Witch Trials

When King James I of England VI of Scotland came to the throne after Queen Elizabeth I' reign the majority of people in both England and Scotland were wary of what would happen, many Englishmen were aghast that a King of Scotland now held sway over the entirety of England, many Scots too thought their own King James would leave Scotland for England and not return. James needed some cause to bind the people together, a war was unlikely as from Henry VIII's reign both England and Scotland had few men trained to fight, the Presbyterian James was in charge of Protestant England, this caused even more rifts between the two countries. James and his advisors hit upon the plan to persecute certain types of peoples, Puritans were picked on and Jews for instance were once more given a bad time, but the main focus came upon people accused of Witchcraft.

Old women, usually malformed through the rigours of a very hard life, were targeted by local people, most of these women were people who kept to themselves, living in the countryside and only venturing into towns to beg for food or sell things like vegetables and home made remedies, or potions as the Victorians described them. Usually these women would be half deaf which caused them to shout louder when speaking, a lot of "witches" were fishermen's wives who would sell their husbands catch whilst their husband was away fishing, these loud and boisterous women could face various methods of embarrassment, such as wearing a scolding iron, which was a device which fitted around the head and had a piece of iron which protruded into the persons mouth, this was placed under the tongue and had a piece of cord attached which was used by the local keepers of the peace to pull the unfortunate woman through the streets whilst others barracked them with abuse and threw rotten food. Another form of treatment for persistent offenders was the ducking stool, simply a stool attached to a long plank of wood, the loud mouthed woman (or sometimes a man) would be tied to the seat then raised up by a few strong lads from the town or village, then they would let go and the person would drop into the water, usually done in the middle of winter a lot of people died whilst being ducked.

King James I added to older laws which made witchcraft illegal, by his ruling it was now considered witchcraft "for making a covenant with an evil spirit, using a corpse for magic, hurting life or limb, procuring love, or injuring cattle by means of charms". By these laws many people in the country were accused of witchcraft, at Berwick on the border between England and Scotland there was a large trial for a group of people who James believed had conjured up a storm at sea to sink his ship and kill both he and his new wife, however his ship held firm, another ship close by containing his wife's dowry money was lost in the storm. In 1612 James had another bunch of "witches" to deal with.

At the summer assizes at Lancaster Castle Court there were charges of Witchcraft brought against people of both Pendle Hill and Samlesbury. The Judges in charge of the trials were Judge Edward Bromley presiding, accompanied by Judge Altham, as their assistants were Lord Gerard and Sir Richard Hoghton. As Prosecutor was Roger Nowell (a former High Sheriff of Lancashire) who held Read Hall, near Burnley. The clerk of the courts was Thomas Potts from London. In effect there was no defence, neither a defence counsel nor the allowance of witnesses to speak on their defence. The Pendle Witches are as follows.

Elizabeth Southern (Old Demdike)

Elizabeth Device (Demdikes Daughter, nicknamed Squinting Lizzie)

Alison Device (Lizzie's daughter)

James Device (Lizzie's son)

Anne Whittle (Old Chattox)

Ann Redfern (Chattox's daughter)

Jane Bulcock

John Bulcock (Jane's son)

Alice Nutter

Katherine Hewitt (Mouldheels)

From Samlesbury the following people were tried for Witchcraft:

John Ramsden

Elizabeth Astley

Isabel Southgraves

Lawrence Haye

Jane Southworth

Jennet Brierly

Ellen Brierly

Isobel Robey (From Windle, near St Helens)

Margaret Pearson (the Padiham Witch)

For the most part the prosecution brought forth witnesses whose best evidence was idle gossip, false accusations and was for the best part totally inconsistent, for the Pendle Witches however Jennet Device, another of Lizzie's daughters, grandaughter to Old Demdike and Sister to Alison and James, testified to witnessing her families part in strange practices, wether she had been tortured into giving these confessions is unknown, but would not be un heard of, she was only nine years old at the time and years later confessed to making it all up. King James himself liked to torture witches, something he did during the afore mentioned Berwick Witch trials, in his own palace of Holyrood at Edinburgh. Because of the lack of substantial evidence and a defence based on the fact they were being held only because they were Catholic the Samlesbury Witches all recieved pardons, save for Margaret Pearson who was pilloried (placed in stocks) for four consecutive days in the towns of Padiham, Clitheroe, Whalley and Lancaster, then she served a year in jail.

Old Demdike passed away whilst in custody at Lancaster Castle prison, being aged 80 and forced to walk the floors (being pushed around a room by two men non stop for hours) had taken its toll on the old woman, especially as she only had one leg to begin with. In court the details of how the accused had lived their lives was gained from them, no doubt mostly through torture and so the following accounts must be looked at through tinted glasses to be believed, however for those who do believe or those who do not, it is still fascinating all the same.

On March 18th 1612 Alison Device was out begging on the road to Colne, John Law from Halifax was walking the road, he was a peddler, carrying his goods on him from town to town trading for the best prices he could get. Alison asked him for a pin, to which he told her to get lost and carried on his way. In Alisons testimony she states that her familiar (a spirit being in the form of an animal, in Alisons case a dog) appeared to her and asked if she would like to see some harm come John Laws way, being new to the Witches coven of her Grandmother's Old Demdike she agreed and no sooner had she said yes than the Peddler dropped to the ground, paralysed down one side of his body (most probably by a stroke), he was taken to a nearby Inn and placed in a bed, where Alison came to see him, she felt bad about her part in his illness and asked for his forgiveness, to which he did indeed forgive her. However John Law's son, Abraham, had to care for his sick father and he was embittered that the young woman had gone unpunished and so he contacted the local Magistrate, Roger Nowell, who immediately set off for the vacinity of Pendle Hill to ask witnesses of the Device families witchcraft practises. By the end of hearing every ones accusations, wether false or true, he was convinced that there was a serious problem in the area.

In Lancaster Castle prison the accused were tortured, though no blood was to be spilt according to laws of the land and of holy god. The women were kept awake constantly, food was meagre and often rotten, they were walked for days on end and most probably raped in front of their relatives. They may have even had hot irons run across their skin (a favourite of James I's practices) as their would be no blood loss there either. Elizabeth Demdike gave up the names of Elizabeth Device (her daughter) and James Device (her grandson) before dying. Old Chattox also gave up her offsprings names under duress, Alison stood trial for what she had done to John Law whilst Elizabeth Device and James Device stood trial for two murders, the Chattox family stood trial for the murder of Christopher Nutter some eighteen years previously. Mother and Son Jane and John Bulcock were convicted of causing madness, as well as being at a Witches Sabbath meeting on Good Fridy 1612 at Malkin Tower. Alice Nutter from Roughlee Hall was accused of killing Henry Mitton because he once refused to give Old Demdike a penny when she was begging one day, Katherine Hewitt was accused of killing Anne Foulds with Witchcraft, whilst strangest of all was Margaret Pearson, the Padiham Witch. She allegedly bewitched a neighbours horse, to death!

The Assize courts are courts which tour around certain parts of the country, being on the Northern Circuit meant that the Judges visited Lancaster twice per year, and so on the 18th August 1612 the trials began. On day one of the trials Old Chattox was brought into the court, she was accused of the murder of Christopher Nutter, eighteen years previously. She vehemently refused and pleaded not guilty, however both James Device and Old Demdike had given testimony that she was to blame for his death. Elizabeth Device was next in court, she heard her accusations against her, shaking her head from side to side. Then her nine year old daughter Jennet was brought in to testify against her, at this she lost her mind and tried to escape, it was only after being beaten about the head by a cudgel that it was safe to take her away. The Judges asked Jennet what her family got involved in, wether she was told what to say by the prosecution, possibly by threats of further torture is unknown, but likely. She explained that her family had familiar spirits, they had also made clay images of people they wished to die. She also explaiend how on the Witches Sabbath meeting at Malkin Tower the people there had plotted to blow up Lancaster Castle, thus killing the towns governor Thomas Covell and freeing those imprisoned there at the same time. She also talked of three witches riding ponies into the air before disappearing, all of her family and Anne Whittle were found guilty on her accusations, after his treatment in prison James Device was almost at deaths door anyway.

From the Samlesbury trials three women were accused of performing witchcraft on a young girl by the name of Grace Sowerbutts, however the three women successfully argued that they were merely being accused because they were Catholic, the court agreed and they went free.

On Day two Anne Redfearne was brought up for her part in the death of Christopher Nutter, again it was on evidence given by James Device that Anne was found guilty, Alice Nutter was now in the dock, she was described as a kind and gentle woman, the evidence against her was flimsy at best, however Jennet Device once more gave evidence saying Alice had been involved in the plots to blow up the Castle, Alice was therefore found guilty. Mouldheels Katherine Hewitt was brought in next, again it was Jennet who got the woman convicted and sentenced for her supposed part in the Sabbath meeting. Next in were John and Jane Bulcock, Jennets only confession to their part was that John had turned a spit over a fire with a lamb upon it at the Malkin Tower meeting, this was enough to get him and his mother convicted. Margaret Pearson was next brought in, she was accused of bewitching a horse, then riding it to death (Hag Ridden, where we get the word Haggard from). In all fact she probably stole the horse and tried to escape, but even that was a hanging offence back then too so she would not have got away with it. Last but not least was Alison Device, she was accused of performing witchcraft upon John Law, as he was carried into the court room he stumbled, Alison went to his help and again asked for his forgiveness, which for a second time to gave. However the court asked her if she could bring back John Law's health, to which she replied that she had only been part of the coven for a short period of time and was not up to the task, but, had Old Demdike not died in Prison she could have helped the man. Alison like most of the others was condemned to death. Under the 1604 Witchcraft Act the Judge, Edward Bromley had no option, on the 20th of August 1612 they were to be taken away and hung in public view at Lancaster Castle Gaol.

The reason we have such accurate accounts of what happened in these trials is because of the Clerk of Accounts, Thomas Potts. He was writing, albeit biasedly, for the attention of the King, his records have been kept in Lancaster Castle along with other writings which have helped historians immensely in the past and no doubt will do so in the future. Thomas also wrote a popular book of the time titled "A Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster" because of the recent anti-catholic plots against King James I Potts chose to tribute his book to Lord Knyvet, the man who had captured Guido (Guy) Fawkes beneath the houses of parliament in 1605.

CJ Linton

Wurzburg Witch Trials.

Between the years of 1627 and 1629 a thick black smear covered the landscape around the south German city of Wurzburg. Up to as many as 900 people from all ages and all walks of life were trialed and condemned as heretical witches, some were condemned to the most horrible of deaths, to be burned at the stake, though many more were beheaded. During this time the entire continent was in the middle of the 30 years war, a conflict which started in 1618 with Protestant Rebellions against Catholic rule in Bohemia (current day Czech Rep.) With various phases the war ebbed and flowed with allies joining sides or even changing sides every so often, originally a war between the newer Protestant states and their Catholic adversaries changed when an alliance between the two catholic power houses of the Habsburg Austria and Spain gave enough concern to Catholic France for them to throw their lot in with the Protestants. in the end the battle lines had gone back and forth so often that the two combatants were exactly where they had started after 30 years of conflict. The war ravaged the countryside where the massive armies fought each other, Germany suffered the most damage, and in these dark times their were enemies everywhere.

Wurzburg, Ellwangen, Eichstatt, Bamberg and Mainz were all subjected to witch trials from the church, the Prince Bishop of Wurzburg being the head of the trials, his name was Julius Echter von Mespelbrunn and he waged a short yet bloody campaign on the sinful people of his community. He put to death at least 157 people in Wurzburg alone along with his companion Neffen Phillipp Adolf von Ehrenburg. In August 1629 the Chancellor to the Bishop wrote a letter to a friend, it is translated as follows.

"As to the affair of the witches, which Your Grace thinks brought to an end before this, it has started up afresh, and no words can do justice to it. Ah, the woe and the misery of it--there are still four hundred in the city, high and low, of every rank and sex, nay, even clerics, so strongly accused that they may be arrested at any hour. It is true that, of the people of my Gracious Prince here, some out of all offices and faculties must be executed: clerics, electoral councilors and doctors, city officials, court assessors, several of whom Your Grace knows. There are law students to be arrested. The Prince-Bishop has over forty students who are soon to be pastors; among them thirteen or fourteen are said to be witches. A few days ago a Dean was arrested; two others who were summoned have fled. The notary of our Church consistory, a very learned man, was yesterday arrested and put to the torture. In a word, a third part of the city is surely involved. The richest, most attractive, most prominent, of the clergy are already executed. A week ago a maiden of nineteen was executed, of whom it is everywhere said that she was the fairest in the whole city, and was held by everybody a girl of singular modesty and purity. She will be followed by seven or eight others of the best and most attractive persons. . . . And thus many are put to death for renouncing God and being at the witch-dances, against whom nobody has ever else spoken a word. To conclude this wretched matter, there are children of three and four years, to the number of three hundred, who are said to have had intercourse with the Devil. I have seen put to death children of seven, promising students of ten, twelve, fourteen, and fifteen. Of the nobles--but I cannot and must not write more of this misery. There are persons of yet higher rank, whom you know, and would marvel to hear of, nay, would scarcely believe it; let justice be done . . . P. S.--Though there are many wonderful and terrible things happening, it is beyond doubt that, at a place called the Fraw-Rengberg, the Devil in person, with eight thousand of his followers, held an assembly and celebrated mass before them all, administering to his audience (that is, the witches) turnip-rinds and parings in place of the Holy Eucharist. There took place not only foul but most horrible and hideous blasphemies, whereof I shudder to write. It is also true that they all vowed not to be enrolled in the Book of Life, but all agreed to be inscribed by a notary who is well known to me and my colleagues. We hope, too, that the book in which they are enrolled will yet be found, and there is no little search being made for it."

The following are the known names of the dead, multiple names would no doubt be members of the same family, as I’ve previously written the vast majority are beheaded with a few people being burned at the stake. All of these poor people would have suffered some kind of torture to obtain the names of others.

This is not a full list however, these are merely the known names.

Ancker, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Babel, Zuickel: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Babel, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Bannach, (husband) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bannach, (wife) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Basser, Fredrick: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Batsch, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Baunach, (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bebelin, Gabriel: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Beck, Viertel: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Beck, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Berger, Christopher: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bentz, (mother) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bentz, (daughter) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Beutler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Brickmann, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bugler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Bursten-Binderin, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628 - 1629

Canzler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Crots, (son) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Edelfrau, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Eyering, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Fleischbaum, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Gering, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Glaser, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Gobel, Barbara: burned at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Gobel's child, (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Goldschmidt, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Gutbrod, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Hafner, (son) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Hammellmann, Melchoir: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Hans, David: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Hans, Kilian: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Haus, (wife) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Hausen (first name unknown): executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Hirsch, Nicodemus: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Hoecker, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Hofmann, Lorenz: executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Hofschmidt, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Holtzmann, Stoffel: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Hofseiler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Huter (first name unknown): executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Jung, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Kanzler (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Knertz, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Knor, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Kramerin, Schelmerey: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Kuler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Lambrecht, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Liebler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Liebler, (daughter, first name unknown): executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Lutz, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Mark, Bernhard: burned alive at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Meyer, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Noeth, Lorenz: executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Raab (first name unknown): executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29

Rueger, Christophorus: executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29
Rum, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Rutchser, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Schutz, Babel: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Schwartz, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Schenck, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Schellhar, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Schickelte, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Schneider, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Schleipner, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Schwarz, (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Schwerdt, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Seiler, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Shultz (infant), (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Silberhans, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Steicher, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Steinacher, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Stepper, (first name unknown): executed at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Stolzberger, (son) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Stolzberger, (wife) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Stolzberger, (granddaughter) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Stuber, Laurence: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Sturmer, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Steinbach, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Stier, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Tungerslieber, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Valkenburger, (daughter) (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Vaecker, Paul: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Visirer (first name unknown): executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 29
Wagner, Michael: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Wagner, (first name unknown): burnt alive at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629
Wasser, Friedrich: executed in Wüürzburg, Germany, 1627 - 1629

Weydenbusch, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Wirth, Klingen: beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Wunth, (first name unknown): beheaded at Wüürzburg, Germany, 1628-1629

Throughout Germany there were thousands killed in this period, here is a list of the places and the probable numbers involved.

1 burned at Berlin, Germany, in 1399

4 burned at Metz, Germany, in 1482

1 died in prison, at Metz, Germany 1488

3 executed at Mairange, Germany, on 17 June, 1488

2 executed at Mairange, Germany, on 25 June, 1488

3 executed at Chastel, Germany, on 26 June, 1488

3 executed at Metz, Germany, on 1 July, 1488

1 executed at Salney, Germany, on 3 July, 1488

2 executed at Salney, Germany, on 12 July, 1488

3 executed at Salney, Germany, on 19 July, 1488

1 executed at Brieg, Germany, on 19 July, 1488

2 executed at Juxney, Germany, on 19 August, 1488

5 executed at Thionville, Germany, on 23 August, 1488

1 executed at Metz, Germany, on 2 September, 1488

1 executed at Vigey, Germany, on 15 September, 1488

1 executed at Juxney, Germany, on 22 September, 1488

1 burned in Saxony, Germany, in 1510

3 burned alive at Derneburg, Germany, on 4 October, 1555

133 persons burned in one day at Quedlinburg, in Germany, in 1589

48 burned in Wurttemberg, Germany, in 1589

2 burned at Cologne, Germany in 1589

54 burned in Franconia in 1590

10 -daily- were burned (average) in the Duchy of Brunswick between 1590-1600

205 burned at the Abbey of Fulda, Germany, between 1603-1605

56 executions at Mainz, Germany, between 1626-1629

77 executions at Burgstadt, Germany, between 1626-1629

40 executions at Berndit, Buttan, Ebenheit, Wenchdorf and Heinbach, Germany, between 1626-1629

8 executions in Prozelten and Amorbach, Germany between 1626-1629

168 executions in the district of Miltenberg, Germany, between 1626-1629

85 burned in Dieburg, Germany, in 1627

274 executed in Eichstatt, Germany in 1629

124 executed by the Teutonic Order at Mergentheim, Germany in 1630

900 executions at Bamberg, Germany, between 1627 and 1631

22,000 (approx) executed in Bamberg, Germany between 1610 and 1840

3 executed (Suzanna, Isle and Catherine (last names unknown) at Arendsee, Germany, in 1687

36 burned at Nordlingen, Germany between 1690-1694

9 persons burned at Burghausen, Germany, all under 16 years of age, on 26 March, 1698

3 burned at Karpfen, Germany, in 1744 3 burned at Muhlbach, Germany, in 1746

100 + executed at Haeck, Germany between 1772 and 1779

And finally...

1 shot by a policeman at Uttenheim, Germany, on suspicion of being a were- wolf, in November, 1925

CJ Linton.

Other forms of execution included the Maiden, known in France as the Guillotine. In the Tolbooth there is still an original blade on display, and is from a date far earlier than the French started using the guillotine. Cutting someone’s head off was no new thing to the French, decapitation was used by every culture around the world for centuries before the French Revolution. Whilst in Europe after battles enemy leaders could be killed by their captors, particularly in the case of the civil wars known as the Wars of the Roses. The Spanish still decapitated people into the 1950's, by the use of special swords which were notorious for not getting the job done in one stroke. Some of these executions would go wrong, for instance when Marie Antoinette was decapitated and her head presented to the crowd the head was instead thrown into the crowd, with the executioner holding her wig instead! 

History of Spiritualism

Mediums, Psychics, Sensitive’s, call them what you will but at the heart of each of these is a person. Each has there own story to tell for how they became sensitive, perhaps their grandmother was sensitive and she passed on her gift, perhaps its just one of those things they have had since they were a child, talking to imaginary friends who no one else could see. As varied and colourful the subject of the Paranormal is, the history of Spiritualism is just as diverse, both intrinsically linked to the other, by the worst of all aspects of life itself. Death.

The History of Spiritualism in the Modern World can be linked to events in a little town called Hydesville, near Rochester New York State in the late 1840's. James Fox, a Methodist Farmer, had finished his hard days work and was ready for bed, in the family home lived himself, his wife Margaret and two of his beloved daughters, Margaretta aged 14 and Kate aged 12. It was the last day in March 1848, the summer was coming and lots would need to be done on the farm, his focus and thought should have been on the coming season, yet they were not. Just as they had done for the few nights previously the two children were upset, and his wife was becoming so too. A strange rattling sound was coming from various parts of his home, thinking it was the wind he tried locking the window shutters more securely, yet with no wind present he was dumbfounded, but things were to get worse, a lot worse, before they got better. The Home was little more than a shack with a single room in which to eat, relax and sleep for the whole family. Margaret Fox reassured her children that with April Fools day being tomorrow it was just one of the youths from the village playing tricks upon them, she thought it would be fun to test them and challenged them to copy her own bangs and rattles. She snapped her fingers a number of times and each time received the same number of noises, more tests were needed and so she clapped her hands, only to be answered in the same way. She was becoming a little startled but did not want to show it to her children, deep inside she knew it was not a frivolous youngster out for cheap thrills from the village, the only person other than herself and her children in the house was her husband, and he was not the type to do such things to upset his family. She decided to put the noises to the ultimate test, a question which no one in the village would have been able to answer, she asked aloud for the different ages of her children, for not only had she the two daughters but she had more children too, even a poor little baby who died aged three. As expected, though still dreaded, the noises tapped out all of her children’s ages, leaving gaps long enough to know when the next count was to begun, the very last count sounded faint and very small, the count was knock, knock, knock.

She must have been a little perplexed by now, heavens knows what her children were feeling too. She asked aloud if it was a human making the noises, yet got no response, pensively she asked if it was a spirit, for confirmation she asked for two knocks for a yes answer, she received her two knocks (A form of communication still used today with spirits for an affirmative answer). News quickly spread in the rural community of Hydesville, the Fox place was haunted, indeed the last tenant moved out because the knocking upset him so much. People were quick to blame the two girls for the noises, claiming it was all a stunt by adolescent girls out for a laugh. Soon not only the entire village knew but the entire Continents of North America and Europe knew about the strange goings on, many new stories came to light at this time as people became a little more confident to report strange goings on in their homes. Stories such as the Willington Mill Ghost from the north East of England came out in which an Industrialist and devout Quaker called Joshua Proctor moved into a house built around 1800. Soon things were happening, yet he was very sceptical of the idea of dead spirits causing things to move or loud bangs to occur. Two men, a Dr Edward Drury and his friend a Mr Hudson set about finding what the noises were, accompanying them were two loaded pistols ready to scare any hoaxers into thinking again before upsetting the peaceful Quakers. At 11pm on the 3rd of July 1840 Dr Drury and Mr Hudson took part in what could be the very first vigil to investigate the paranormal. They made themselves comfortable on the third floor landing, just near them was the "haunted" room where Mr Proctor had heard things. As midnight struck they heard a strange sound, as though someone was walking on the wooden floor boards with bare feet, yet Mr Proctor, Mr Hudson and Dr Drury were the only three people inside the house at the time. All three men expected to find a hoaxer trying to scare them, but what Dr Drury saw scared him far more than any hoaxer ever could. After forty-five minutes of the odd bang, scrape and rustling noise the men thought the nights activities were settling down, when all of a sudden a closet door swung open and the ghost of a young lady came striding towards them, her head lolling to one side and one hand clutching at her belly, her face a torment of pain. Mr Hudson was directly in the path of the spirit yet Dr Drury found the courage to charge at the spirit and passed right through her knocking over Mr Hudson in the process! Drury went into a blind fit of horror and had to be dragged out of the building by the other two men, both just as dumbstruck as the other. Dr Drury had to be calmed down, and that took ten days, upon coming around he claimed not to be able to recollect what had happened. All of this was reported in a book called The Night Side of Nature by a Scottish woman named

Catherine Crowe, the book was released in 1848, the same year as the Fox families experiences.

The Fox family were to be plagued with the restless spirits for many months to come, many people stayed at the house and various theories came to light as to why there was a ghost in the house. Facts and dates were obtained from the spirit, but only snippets at a time. The story went that a peddler had stopped by the house just a few years previously, the owner at the time was a man called Mr Bell. This peddler had asked for a room for the night, Mr Bell had let the man in for the night, though somehow during the evening Mr Bell had killed the Peddler for the $500 he had in his bundle. Mr Bell had then buried the body and covered it with quicklime in the cellar. James Fox and his friends quickly dug up the cellar, finding an underground stream they had to wait a couple of months for the water level to drop but eventually sure enough a few feet further down they found the quickly rotting corpse. Mr Bell was even found too, living in Lyon closer to New York City, calls were made for his arrest but no trial could go ahead on the say so of a ghost. Strangely the spirit foresaw this as he had communicated with people previously, through knocks and taps he had told them that his murderer would never be brought to justice. The noises however went on, even when both Margaretta and Kate went to live with their other Brother and Sister far away the noises followed them there. Whilst back home in Hydesville things went crazy, over 100 mediums came to see if they could make contact with the ghost, newspapers had daily findings in their papers and the phenomena of Spiritualism was taking off right across Europe and America. This came at a time when Science was moving in leaps and bounds, the church however was not and people became less and less religious. Spiritualism was seen as the work of the devil by the church, however more and more people started to take part in séances. It became an after dinner party speciality to dim the lights and get out the crystal ball in the stately homes of the elite of English aristocracy. Even Queen Victoria and Prince Albert delved into table tipping at one of their rural retreats and became quite convinced of its authenticity. With the horrors of both World Wars Spiritualism seems to have diminished slightly but in the beginning of the 21st Century there has been a massive increase in the number of people claiming to be able to talk to the dead, or just interested in the supernatural. This has been rightly attributed to the TV Show Most Haunted, which if nothing else has brought the world of the Paranormal into the living rooms of the world once more.

Thank you for your time

CJ Linton.