tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post6034000417934974131..comments2023-11-28T10:21:47.318+00:00Comments on Paula Martin - Romance Author: Thursday Tour of NW England - Newchurch and the Pendle WitchesPaula Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-8564472685137082832012-08-04T20:18:37.190+01:002012-08-04T20:18:37.190+01:00The Crucible was inspired by the Salem Witches in ...The Crucible was inspired by the Salem Witches in MA, Teresa, about80 years later. But the general idea of a 'witch hunt' based on superstition was fairly similar.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-21062014813428562002012-08-04T17:11:20.892+01:002012-08-04T17:11:20.892+01:00Interesting information, Paula! I wonder if "...Interesting information, Paula! I wonder if "The Crucible" was inspired by this? :-)Teresa Cypherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08940430996766842518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-39289708172919742442012-08-03T09:51:34.241+01:002012-08-03T09:51:34.241+01:00I think you're absolutely right, Diane (er - E...I think you're absolutely right, Diane (er - Esmeralda!). It's all the different factors that contributed to this 'witch trial' which make it so interesting. But, as you say, it had terrible results for this group of simple, uneducated country folk.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-83245974299960393182012-08-03T09:27:30.458+01:002012-08-03T09:27:30.458+01:00I think the Pendle witches story is a case of two ...I think the Pendle witches story is a case of two uneducated and none-too-bright families caught in a game of one-upmanship. They had been doing this for some time, but the advent of the witch hunting era made that dangerous - and probably accounts for Alizon's fearful confession - she wondered if she had actually done what contemporary witches were accused of.<br /><br />The witch as pursued by authorities was imagined to be someone who effected change via an alliance with an otherwordly spirit. There's very little evidence that the small-time finder of lost objects, conjuror of fortunes and writer of charms had any truck with that - it was an invention of the paranoid. But, of course, there are always people who fancy being seen as powerful by association with 'the dark side, and, bizarrely, the paranoid tracts encouraged some to adopt that line. Doesn't mean they're any more in touch with evil than the rest of us!<br /><br />Whatever the case, what a terrible thing to happen to those poor women.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-36589006701164482362012-08-02T21:49:35.800+01:002012-08-02T21:49:35.800+01:00Many thanks, Kathleen. The story of the 'witch...Many thanks, Kathleen. The story of the 'witches' is quite a complex one, and they were the victims of their time as much as anything.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-21567032463029175332012-08-02T20:35:45.674+01:002012-08-02T20:35:45.674+01:00Paula, what a fascinating post about Pendle Witche...Paula, what a fascinating post about Pendle Witches' trials and tribulations. That was 400 years ago, but it still seems that outsiders are suspect. Loved learning about these women herbalists.Kathleen Rowlandhttp://www.kathleenrowland.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-52161587577080957922012-08-02T20:05:01.046+01:002012-08-02T20:05:01.046+01:00It makes you shudder, doesn't it? Those poor w...It makes you shudder, doesn't it? Those poor women! They were obviously just simple herbalists and easy targets for those who wanted to hunt them as witches.<br /><br />400 years ago - wow - I'm glad I didn't live in those times!<br /><br />Thanks for such a facinating post Paula.<br /><br />Janice xxJanicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01831786754054878605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-32585653190832924062012-08-02T20:02:16.988+01:002012-08-02T20:02:16.988+01:00Fascinating comment, Jenny. I've been intrigue...Fascinating comment, Jenny. I've been intrigued by the Pendle Witches for a long time, and agree with you that they probably were simply, uneducated country women who may have felt 'important' at being interviewed and actually convicted themselves without realising what they were doing.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-22379799872511400142012-08-02T12:40:43.749+01:002012-08-02T12:40:43.749+01:00I studied the history of Witchcraft at uni, includ...I studied the history of Witchcraft at uni, including the Pendle Witches. Could write a thesis on it. We're pretty sure they were NOT witches (although some of them may have believed they were) but were victims of the new fashion for using French priests to interrogate suspects. Up to then the typical English witch was a wise woman with a pet cat or dog, giving out cures and love potions and operating alone. The typical French witch was a devil-worshipper and belonged to a coven. Under torture, prisoners say what the torturer wants to hear, hence the sudden appearance of coven-based witchcraft in EnglandJenny Twisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15716569675973035423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-70015540965068619262012-08-02T11:27:05.099+01:002012-08-02T11:27:05.099+01:00I agree with you about Alice Nutter, and wonder to...I agree with you about Alice Nutter, and wonder too how much Jennet Device was intimidated by Roger Nowell and/or had no concept of the full implications of the accusations she made.Paula Martinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10040623635956769807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5758308854209130362.post-18187742641183748102012-08-02T11:11:55.655+01:002012-08-02T11:11:55.655+01:00Fascinating, I love this area of Lancashire, Downh...Fascinating, I love this area of Lancashire, Downham in particular is a delightful little place. <br />Gossip and bad feeling and what mayhem it brought. Always feel very sorry for Alice Nutter, I think she was unwittingly dragged into it.(Not that any of them deserved their end).<br />Another super post on our part of the world, Paula.margaret blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04994723897446758457noreply@blogger.com