#the pendle witch trials

[jtownraindancer]

I'm like 3 weeks late to the party, but The Witch's Daughter looks like it'll be really good!

Thank you @princessegrenouille for originally putting this on my radar! 💙🧡

[aelfgyvaa]

desperate for a documentary on witch trials that doesn't reduce the entire thing to misogyny and throw in a bunch of second wave feminism ideas and modern witchcraft subculture stuff

[toilethamster]

if i get nothing else out of my history flashcards i am slowly working towards my new goal of being able to give an event from any date between like 1500 and 2000

[marksplace]

Jennet Device whose evidence at the age of twelve  (although Thomas Potts described her as a ‘maid of about nine years,’ I’m guessing she looked younger due to malnutrician) led to the executions of several of her family members and others in 1612. Part of a project I did on the Lancashire witches.

[uncle-irohs]

So if my 'calculations' are 'correct,' there would be approximately 450,000-600,000 people alive today that are direct descendants of the people killed in all the witch trials.

No wonder the human race is getting dumber; we killed all the smart people 😒

[paranormal-playground-podcast]

The Haunting of the Pendle Witches: A Tale of Sorcery and Ghosts

he Haunting of the Pendle Witches is a tale steeped in sorcery and ghostly lore. This story, rooted in the history of Lancashire, England, continues to captivate and terrify. The Pendle Witches were accused of witchcraft in 1612. Their legacy haunts Pendle Hill to this day. The Historical Background In 1612, twelve people from the area around Pendle Hill were accused of witchcraft. This event,…

[maypoleman1]

20th August

St Philibert’s Day

Source: The Guardian

Today is St Philibert’s Day, a seventh century saint about whom virtually nothing is known apart from the fact that he allegedly gave to the filbert nut its name, which ripens at this time of year.

More tragically, it was this day in 1612 that ten women from Pendle Hill in Lancashire were executed on the grounds of witchcraft. The deaths were brought about by a combination of petty local disputes and judicial misogyny in a context of paranoia about the very real presence of demons and witches in English communities. The two leading “witches” were Mother Demdike and Old Chattox, two older and eccentric characters who loathed each other and set the ball rolling by each accusing the other of witchcraft. Demdike’s grand-daughter, Alizon, was added to the accused when a local pedlar suffered a stroke after an encounter with her and accused Alizon of bewitching him. The local magistrate Roger Nowell revelled in his role as witch finder (the subsequent trials became something of a sensation), and obtained confessions from a variety of women to “crimes” as fanciful as trying to blow up Lancaster Castle with magic, and as absurd as making beer go sour. Alizon’s mother, Bessie was stripped searched on the orders of the prurient Nowell and a third nipple was exposed, immediately identified as used by Bessie to suckle Satan. Ten women were executed on the charge of ‘bewitching to death by devilish practices and hellish means’, and all were innocent of anything other than being poor, female, inarticulate and occasionally playing to the gallery.

[neil-gaiman]

Hello Mr. Gaiman. I have been a fan of you since I was a kid and watched Coraline a million times on repeat. It encouraged me to take on my first book in English (I am not a native English speaker), which later encouraged me to study English literature. So a big thank you for that!

I have just started reading the Sandman before I dive into the Netflix show. But I have noticed that you refer to ‘witchy’ things in a way that proves that you are very well informed on these matters. Popular media tends to limit itself to: “Oh, let me pull a tarot card for you - ah, the Hanged Man, you will die soon.” Which irks me gravely.

But, more importantly, I have just finished reading an article on the Pendle Witch trials, featuring none other than Alice Nutter & Alizon Device… Needless to say, my mind was blown, shortly after my jaw dropped to the floor.

These things are quite popular now, but still rather hard to find reliable information on, so I was wondering how that research went for you when you wrote these works over 30 years ago?

I do apologise if this question has been asked before!

We read books. They had books before ever there was an internet.

[historyandmythfatw]

Watch "The Pendle Witch Trials | Dark History" on YouTube

[youknowwho-mustnotbenamed]

December 13 - Shine | Jegulus | word count: 460 | @taylorswiftmicrofic

James loves that he can bring out the little kid in Regulus, even years after being together. To release the part of him that has been locked away for years under his mother’s iron fist. But now—even though he protests that twenty is far too old to be acting like a child—he is unlocking these key childhood experiences, and James can’t wait to share them with him.

A key Christmas memory from his childhood, was the time his parents brought him to a muggle town to look at the decorations. That had been a smaller, less densely populated town—his parents were paranoid about being discovered as though it was the Pendle witch trials. But for Regulus, to give him this piece of childhood back, James hasn’t held back.

He's brought him to a muggle village, one that draws tourists from all around for the spectacular lights shows and festive decorations. Lights adorn every storefront and tree, some even stretching across the street. Wreaths decorated in baubles and pinecones are on every lamp post. Festive music plays over speakers lining the streets. It locks everybody into their own private bubbles, where the music is loud enough you can only hear each other, but not too loud where you can hardly think.

Regulus, who claimed to have no interest in muggle culture, is currently exhibiting contradictory behaviors. He is stunning like this, when the scowl leaves his face, and awe and youthfulness takes it’s place. His jaw is slack, lips slightly parted. The seemingly permanent wrinkle between his brown is softened. His critical eyes are shining.

James watches the shine of the Christmas lights reflected in Regulus’ eyes. They are the perfect canvas to capture the world as he sees it. James can’t wait to read whatever poem Regulus is concocting in his head right now. Because he always does. Whenever he feels overwhelming emotion, whenever he feels so full that his inhibitions leave him, that is when it is easiest for the words to fill his mind. to speak in the language of the poets rather than the language of the common man. And James loves this side of him, wants to release him from his prison of expectations his mother has forced him in, and let him always be the poet.

When Regulus turns his Christmas light dappled eyes toward him, they are brimming with love and appreciation. The sight of the unbridled smile on Regulus’ face makes James’ heart full in turn. So full, he feels fit to burst with it. Instead, he settles on kissing every inch of Regulus’ face he can reach.

“Thank you.” Regulus gasps between kisses. “Thank you for giving me this.”

“Of course, mi corazón. The world is yours to have.”

[thesilicontribesman]

The Trough of Bowland Ancient Landscape, Lancashire.

Famous for being the routeway for the Pendle Witch Trials in Lancaster, this landscape has likely served as a much older trackway for ancient communities.

[ghostlytales]

Creepy Apparition Caught in Pendle Hill, UK

“Pendle Hill is steeped in history and known to be one of the most haunted places in the UK. Famous for its 1612 witch trials.”

[ginandoldlace]

On 18 August 1612 – The trial of the Pendle witches, one of England's most famous witch trials, begins at Lancaster Assizes.

The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, & some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, & were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft. All but two were tried at Lancaster Assizes on 18–19 August 1612, along with the Samlesbury witches & others, in a series of trials that have become known as the Lancashire witch trials. One was tried at York Assizes on 27 July 1612, & another died in prison. Of the eleven who went to trial – nine women & two men – ten were found guilty & executed by hanging; one was found not guilty.

The official publication of the proceedings by the clerk to the court, Thomas Potts, in his The Wonderfull Discoverie of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster, & the number of witches hanged together – nine at Lancaster & one at York – make the trials unusual for England at that time. It has been estimated that all the English witch trials between the early 15th & early 18th centuries resulted in fewer than 500 executions; this series of trials accounts for more than two per cent of that total.

Six of the Pendle witches came from one of two families, each at the time headed by a woman in her eighties: Elizabeth Southerns (a.k.a. Demdike), her daughter Elizabeth Device, & her grandchildren James and Alizon Device; Anne Whittle (a.k.a. Chattox), & her daughter Anne Redferne. The others accused were Jane Bulcock & her son John Bulcock, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, Alice Grey, & Jennet Preston. The outbreaks of 'witchcraft' in & around Pendle may suggest that some people made a living as traditional healers, using a mixture of herbal medicine & talismans or charms, which might leave them open to charges of sorcery. Many of the allegations resulted from accusations that members of the Demdike & Chattox families made both against each other, perhaps because they were in competition, trying to make a living from healing, begging, & extortion.

1.Statue of Alice Nutter in Roughlee. 2. Two of the accused witches: Anne Whittle (Chattox) & her daughter Anne Redferne. Illustration by John Gilbert from the 1854 edition of William Harrison Ainsworth's The Lancashire Witches.

[mrsometimes11]

Not sure if you still exist, but Wardstone Chronicles/Last Apprentice (books) fans, this one's for you.

So, this is a theory that I've been thinking about for a while, and I'd like to hear what you folks think.

The topic of when the books take place has long been one that troubles me. The background of witch trials screams 16th/17th century, but the continued prevalence of what seems to be the Catholic Church in fantasy Lancashire makes that unlikely Equally, it can't be much earlier as the existence of potatoes as a common food item shows that it takes place after the European discovery of the Americas. You must admit, it is strange.

However, I suggest that, rather than the past, the books take place in the future. A distant, post-apocalyptic future to be specific. Not only does this take care of certain historical inconsistencies in the series, but it also explains a few things. For one thing the fact that ice ages seem to be common knowledge, and the notion of the Segantii as a sophisticated precursor civilisation, the real Segantii were a Celtic tribe of no known great advancement.

And, the biggest bit of evidence, to quote 'then the ice came again, and when it retreated, even the shapes of the hills and the names of the towns in the valleys were changed'. Or to put it another way, after an ice age, and we know that the events of the books take place after Golgoth's last outing, the shapes of the hills, including Pendle Hill, which currently is far too steep to climb as easily as the characters in the books are able to*, and the names of towns, like Chippenden or as we call it Chipping, changed.

Now, granted, this idea cuts both ways, the events of the books could also occur in the distant past, a forgotten past. However, the existence of the Greek gods as Old Gods, and knowledge of Greek myth, would dispute this, as, indeed, does the presence of potatoes.

Finally, the clincher, throughout all his life Joseph Delaney was always unwilling to confirm that the books take place in the 1700s, as is often believed. Now, it may be that he considered the events of his books to take place in a fantasy timeline entirely separate to our own, but - again - the 'then the ice came again...' seems to tie the books firmly to the world we know.

*proof of how steep Pendle Hill is, based on my recent trip there

[phanfictioncatalogue]

Super Long Fics (6) Masterlist

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five

A Rose of Winter (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: All Daniel wanted to do was escape the stifling life as a Stark of Winterfell and travel the world. Between the looming threat North of The Wall and the den of lions in the capital, he unexpectedly finds love in the midst of a war set to tear Westeros apart. Caught between loyalty to his family and duty, he is torn in a thousand directions that all point to one man: Philip Flowers.

A Stolen Ring (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan’s not normal. Why? He's not human, he has a mysterious ring, and he hates Phil Lester. They have a strange past, one filled with bullying and avoidance, but when Dan turns into an incubus, everything changes. He struggles with his identity and cries himself to sleep most nights, yearning to be normal. And somehow the universe makes it worse by bringing him and Phil together - in the most literal sense.

baby, if you wanna try (ao3) - sunflowerwitches (orphan_account)

Summary: wearing jewellery doesn't work in phil's favour when he sees friends that he hasn't seen in a while and they automatically assume he's engaged. engaged to dan

Black Blood - howellester8791

Summary: Dan is a vampire hunter, one of the best in the entire London, and he has to solve the mistery of the “Blue-eyed vampire of Haze”. But when he meets the vampire, something in Dan changes and he’ll find out that the enemy is not this pale, dorky, black haired and blue-eyed vampire named Phil.

By the way, I adore you. (ao3) - lxzyfangirl

Summary: Dan is very sick, and the future is not looking too bright for him, thankfully, he has Phil, his best friend, to accompany him through it all. But is Dan satisfied with being just friends?

do what thou wilt (ao3) - sunflowerwitches

Summary: dan has always known that he isn’t a normal human, he grew up wiccan in the middle of seventeenth-century england. he definitely knew he wasn’t normal when he has to flee his family home due to the witch trials taking place. he flees to pendle hill in lancashire which isn’t completely different to his life back home

Galaxies and Greenhouses (ao3) - fourthingsandawizard

Summary: When Dan meets a boy with piercings and a dragon tattoo while shopping in Diagon Alley, he’s pretty quick to jump to conclusions, much to his own embarrassment. But as they become fast friends, they both come to see that sometimes the most important lessons learned at Hogwarts are the ones that happen without a wand.

Imagine Living Like A King Someday (ao3) - conshellation

Summary: Southview Boarding School isn’t a castle and Phil Lester isn’t royalty, but he has everything. His father owns the school, he’s popular, has the best room, gets all the best treatment – there are very few things that aren’t handed to him on a platter. Dan is a cleaner/Phil’s personal maid there, and he isn’t as lucky. Everyone seems to take an aversion to the outsider, including Phil (at first).

It’s So Meta Even This Acronym (ao3) - Dieupardonne, Mazabrei (Dieupardonne)

Summary: Dan Howell and Phil Lester lead anything but normal lives, but they were content with the direction they’d taken and happy with their current situation. But soon, they begin to realize that things aren’t right anymore; they’re not in the world they should be.

“That’s because you’re ruining our fucking lives, you sadist,” Dan said, scowling at the ceiling. He seemed to be ignoring the fact that his insolence would have consequences.

“What stupid trope are you putting us in next?” Phil asked wearily.

“It doesn’t even matter, does it?” Dan said, “They’re going to keep writing it as long as they want. They’ll find a trope.”

“But only if people read it,” Phil said.

“Then don’t read this stupid, overblown story!” Dan yelled at the ceiling, “You’re enabling this horrible author. You’re making us suffer.” While Dan was speaking, Phil had a realization.

“All of this…” Phil said in horror, “All of this dialogue we’re giving. We’re helping them shill this story.”

Laws Of Attraction (ao3) - by strawberrysunflower

Summary: When Phil turned twenty-nine, he wrote out a list of all the things he had in his life. One terraced house in Manchester, rented. Two housemates who still buy the cheapest alcohol on offer in Tesco. Three failed long-term relationships. 

After a spur-of-the-moment Friday night out on Canal Street, Phil ends up in the bed of a very handsome stranger. It’s a nice yet meaningless distraction from his directionless life. No big deal. Until he bumps into him again. And again. And again…

papercut (ao3) - schnaf

Summary: A cut. A tiny little cut, barely visible - just like a papercut. A cut - and yet, to Dan, it’s so much more. It’s the case he’s working on, the case only he seems to be taking seriously - it’s a serial killer’s signature. So when he gets the chance to track down the murderer, he doesn’t hesitate. And then, there’s Phil, Phil who’s making the chase so much more bearable, Phil who adds something completely different to his task. But things aren’t always what they seem.

RIFT (ao3) - A_Million_Regrets

Summary: Phil is just a mere eight-year-old naive child when his mom keenly introduces him to his new stepbrother, Dan. They become friends and start living together fairly quickly. As years slip by, Phil slowly realises three things: First, Dan looks at him with pain in his gaze. Second, an inexplicable rift is separating them. Third, what he feels for Dan is more than just brotherly love.

Sidetracked (ao3) - phanimist

Summary: Based on a prompt:

Dan and Phil are both contestants on ‘The Bachelorette’, but fall in love with each other instead of the girl.

Stirring In Love (ao3) - andthenshesaid-write (ladyknight1512)

Summary: When Phil applied to be a contestant on the Great British Bake Off he didn't even expect to make the long-list, let alone make it into the actual tent. But make it he does and there he meets Dan, a baker unlike Phil in every possible way. After a rocky start, Phil realises that maybe he can learn some things from Dan after all, and the biggest things have nothing to do with baking.

strangers (ao3) - waveydnp

Summary: dan is new to london and living in a mostly empty flat, desperate to forget the mistakes of his past. he’s all alone – until one day he gets a piece of mail addressed to someone in the neighbouring flat, one mr. philip lester. he can’t exactly not return it, can he?

Strictly Come Dancing but make it GAY (ao3) - natigail

Summary: @danielhowell: maybe i’d actually consider doing @bbcstrictly if they allowed same-sex couples. who wouldn’t want a sexy man spinning you around? it’s not just a girl’s dream. c'mon people let's see some pretty and fierce girls pair up and handsome and strong boys get it on. i dare you.

Dan Howell calls Strictly out on Twitter for not allowing any same-sex couples and accidentally volunteers himself to be one of the contestants if they were to change that. It was a joke. It had so clearly been a joke. Why did they take him up on it?! He’s sure he’ll trip over his own feet and hate every second, but then he meets his partner, the endearingly clumsy dancer Phil Lester.

strike a deal, kiss my lips (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Witches were the only magical beings capable of binding and controlling demons. It required a complicated ritual and crazy amounts of magic.

It happening on accident was practically unheard of until Phil came along and got tangled up with a snarky and dangerous demon named Dan. Suddenly bound together, Phil must grapple with control over a chaotic demon that wants to strip the skin from his bones.

And maybe strip the clothes off of his body as well.

The Summer (ao3) - auroraphilealis (peachrosepetals), worriedpeach (skeletonflowers)

Summary: Dan Howell has spent the last three summers at Camp Bergamot, but it’s never been quite like this before. This year, he faces a summer full of new friends, a new relationship, and an entirely new view on his own sexuality. Perhaps Camp Bergamot should be renamed camp self discovery for all the changes Dan has gone through, but one thing’s for sure - despite all the hiccups and the drama, he just might have found the love of his life.

Thunder Only Happens When It’s Raining (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Dan meets Phil at the lowest moment in his life and is immediately enchanted by him, but nobody is perfect - not even those with good intentions and a kind heart. 

This is the story of two imperfect people trying to do their best, to find love and strive in life. They gravitate towards each other at every turn, sometimes dancing in harmony, other times colliding.

to all the people i've loved before (and the one who actually made me fall in love) (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Phil doesn’t crush on people often, but when he does the emotions seem to overwhelm him. The only way he knows how to deal is to write love letters. They were never meant to be read.

The most recent letter threatens to ruin his relationship with his big brother Martyn, so in a fit of panic, Phil finds himself turning to the boy who was the recipient of the very first love letter for help. Even if he is Dan Howell, the school heartthrob.