During the early modern period in Europe, belief in witchcraft was widespread and often led to brutal witch hunts and trials. One infamous example is the case of Rite Kubo, a woman who was accused and burned as a witch. Rite Kubo lived in a small village in the late 16th century. She was known for her unconventional behavior and was often seen practicing herbal medicine and engaging in solitary rituals in the forest. These practices, combined with societal fear and suspicion, eventually caught the attention of her fellow villagers and local authorities. Rumors and accusations began to spread, suggesting that Rite Kubo was responsible for various misfortunes that occurred in the village.
Rumors and accusations began to spread, suggesting that Rite Kubo was responsible for various misfortunes that occurred in the village. Crop failures, illnesses, and strange occurrences were all attributed to her alleged witchcraft. The village quickly became convinced of her guilt, and a reign of terror began.
Witch of Saratoga, Northampton’s Forgotten Magickal Emigrant
Northamptonshire has long been a hotbed of ‘witchcraft’ and the associated persecution.
The most infamous example being the Northamptonshire Witch Trials of 1612, which saw five people executed following a public dunking.
The county also claims the dubious distinction of being the last place in England to execute witches.
On 17 March 1705, Elinor Shaw and Mary Phillips were hanged, then burned before they were completely dead.
Northamptonshire’s ‘witches’ were even found in the New World.
A Northampton man stood accused of witchcraft during the notorious Salem Witch Trials of 1692.
He was killed by ‘pressing’ after refusing to confess.
But perhaps the County’s most overlooked magickal emigrant is Angeline Tubbs, the so-called Witch of Saratoga.
In America, she is legendary – her reputation fuelled by ghost vigils and fireside tales.
Yet in England hardly anyone remembers her name.
Her story began in a rural English backwater.
Origins of the Witch of Saratoga
Angeline was born in 1761 at the The Star and Garter Inn in the village of Watford, Northamptonshire, where her parents were landlords.
The Star and Garter Inn in Northamptonshire, where Angeline Tubbs – the future Witch of Saratoga – was born.
In subsequent years, renovation work here would uncover numerous artefacts such as witch-bottles and hidden shoes, all intended to keep evil at bay.
Angeline grew into a beautiful woman, with flowing hair and piercing black eyes. At the age of fifteen she was married off to a British officer from the 31st (Huntingdonshire) Regiment of Foot.
Angeline Tubbs travels to America
When her husband was posted to fight in the American Revolutionary War, the young bride travelled with him.
In 1777, following the British defeat at the battle of Saratoga in New York State, Angeline’s husband tried to murder her.
Having failed, he abandoned her. As the British troops withdrew, the jilted bride was left alone in an unfamiliar land.
She walked to Saratoga Springs, where, at the base of what is now known as Mount Vista, or Angeline’s Hill, she constructed a hovel.
Angelina Tubbs aka the Witch of Saratoga.
Here, like some medieval European witch, Tubbs lived an isolated, feral and self sufficient existence, accruing dozens of cats to keep her company.
Folk in nearby settlements were unnerved by this curious English woman and her feline familiars.
Tales abounded that upon stormy nights she could be seen standing on the cliffs of Mount Vesta, her hair streaming in the wind, red lightning encircling her as as she communed with spirits.
Suspecting witchcraft, the locals accused the outcast of numerous crimes, had her arrested and sentenced to death.
She told her tormentors she would not die until the last of her cats had passed away. Tubbs survived the noose, although she carried its mark for the rest of her life, and her beauty began to fade until she resembled the arch-typical crone.
Witch of Saratoga becomes an outcast
As she grew older, and less able to fend for herself in the wilderness, Tubbs began telling fortunes to make ends meet.
In her 90s, a professional photographer published Angeline’s image and entitled it ‘The Witch of Saratoga’, turning Angeline into an unexpected tourist draw.
But reading fortunes didn’t generate much income. In 1865, at the age of 104 having outlived all her cats, Tubbs died in the poorhouse.
In the years since, witnesses claim to have seen the ghost of a sad young woman walking with a man in military uniform.
On stormy nights, a lonely figure has been reported standing on the outcrops of Mount Vista, silhouetted by lightening, and screaming with her arms outstretched in the wind.
Exile, fortune teller, spirit-talker, murder/execution survivor, and in death, an unquiet and oft-sighted spirit: the story of the enigmatic Angeline Tubbs, Northamptonshire’s forgotten witch, is sure to fascinate the curious for many years to come.
Her story began in a rural English backwater.
The accusations against Rite Kubo were based on superstition and misinformation. Many villagers believed that witches had made pacts with the devil and gained supernatural powers. This fear was fueled by religious beliefs and a lack of understanding of natural phenomena. Once the authorities got involved, Rite Kubo was arrested and subjected to a series of cruel and degrading interrogations. The authorities used torture methods to extract confessions from those accused of witchcraft, and Rite Kubo was no exception. She was subjected to physical and psychological torment, all in the name of upholding justice and protecting society. Eventually, Rite Kubo confessed under duress. Her words were taken as proof of her guilt, despite the fact that she later recanted her confession. This was a common tactic used by authorities during witch trials, as it gave them the justification to carry out harsh punishments. The burning of witches at the stake was a common method used to execute those accused of witchcraft. The idea was that fire would purify the accused and rid them of their alleged supernatural powers. It was also seen as a form of public spectacle and a warning to others who may be tempted to dabble in witchcraft. In the case of Rite Kubo, she was bound to a stake in the center of the village square. A crowd gathered to witness her execution, fueled by a combination of fear and morbid curiosity. As the flames engulfed Rite Kubo, she became a symbol of the collective hysteria surrounding witchcraft. The story of Rite Kubo serves as a haunting reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria and the tragic consequences of baseless accusations. It illustrates the power of fear to distort reality and destroy innocent lives. The witch hunts of the early modern period are a dark chapter in human history, one that should continue to be studied and remembered to prevent such injustices from happening again..
Reviews for "The Burn the Witch Rite: A Metaphor for the Burden of Family and Ancestry"
1. John - 1/5
I found "Burn the witch rite kubo" to be extremely disappointing. The storyline was all over the place and lacked any real depth or substance. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The animation was lackluster and it felt like the studio took shortcuts in the production. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and wishing I hadn't wasted my time on this film.
2. Sarah - 2/5
"Burn the witch rite kubo" had a promising concept, but it fell flat in execution. The pacing was off, with important plot points rushed through and others dragged out unnecessarily. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to become engrossed in the story. Additionally, the character development was lacking, leaving me unable to form any emotional connection to the protagonists. While the animation was visually appealing, it wasn't enough to salvage this lackluster film.
3. Michael - 2/5
I was quite disappointed with "Burn the witch rite kubo". The plot felt convoluted and the transitions between scenes were jarring. It seemed like the filmmakers tried to cram too much information into a short runtime, which resulted in a disjointed narrative. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their struggles. The animation was decent, but it couldn't make up for the flaws in the storytelling. Overall, this film failed to leave a lasting impression on me.