The witches of Northamptonshire have long been a topic of fascination and intrigue. Known for their alleged supernatural powers and connections to the dark arts, they have left a lasting imprint on the folklore and history of the region. The origins of witchcraft in Northamptonshire can be traced back to the medieval period, when belief in magic and witchcraft was widespread across Europe. During this time, it was believed that certain individuals, often women, possessed the ability to commune with spirits, cast spells, and perform acts of sorcery. One of the most famous cases of witchcraft in Northamptonshire occurred in the 17th century, during the height of the witch trials in England. In 1612, a woman named Sarah Canon was accused of using witchcraft to harm her neighbors and manipulate the weather.
The Witches of Northampton-shire
Brief summary
Theoretical discussion of witches, Mistris Belcher fell sick and cried out against Ioane Uaughn, whose daughter was Anges Browne, Belcher’s brother went to their house in anger but was unable to approach their house, when he returned home he also fell into fits, the women pled not guilty to bewitching the siblings but were executed; an Arthur Bill was accused of bewitching a mother and daughter to death along with cattle, born of witch parents also condemned in court, his mother slit her throat, he pleaded innocent but was condemned to death; a Hellen Iekenson bewitched a child to death and was executed; a Mary Barber bewitched a man to death an was also executed,
Fuller summary
This pamphlet recounts the events that led to the eventual executions of five witches in Northampton-shire on the 22 of July, 1612. The pamphlet begins with a theoretical discussion on witches and witchcraft. This discussion includes the condemnation of all those involved this “Devilish sin” and makes witchcraft seem like a practice void of any good and only associated with malice. The author, an anonymous writer, provides the definition of a witch as, “…one that worketh by the Devil, or by the same Devilish or Curious Art, either hurting or healing,revealing things secret, or foretelling things to come, which the devil hath devised to entangle,and snare men’s souls withall, unto damnation.” The author then proclaims that witches are not to be trusted.
The author first recounts the story of Agnes Browne and her daughter, Ioane Vaughan. One day, Ioane experienced an encounter with Mistris Belcher. In a fit of rage, seemingly caused by her angry nature, Mistris Belcher “strooke” Ioane, causing her to leave her company, promising revenge on Belcher. Ioane goes home to her mother, Agnes, and informs her of the events which had transpired. Moved by the devil, Agnes advised her daughter on how to proceed; with anger and destruction. Four nights later, while Mistris Belcher slept, she experienced a “gripping and gnawing in her body,” causing her to cry out in pain, immediately blaming Ioane Vaughan. Somehow, her face became disfigured by some disease. Belcher’s brother heard of his sister’s ordeal and paid her a visit. In defense of Belcher, her brother went to the house of Agnes Browne with the intention of drawing blood. After an intense series of events, Agnes and Ioane are both apprehended and indicted for their crimes. At the trial, they plead not guilty to the bewitchment of Mistris Belcher. They were subsequently found guilty and executed on July 22, 1612.
The second account is of Arthur Bill, a poor man and a son of two witches from the town of Raunds. Already with the suspicion of Arthur being a witch, people gave him a reputation of being associated with evil activities. On one particular occasion, the body of Martha Aspine was found dead, brutally bewitched and murdered. Because Arthur, and his two witch parents, was rumored to be seen floating on water, he was accused of bewitching the woman. In the trial, his father defected and became the principal witness against Arthur. His mother, in fear of being hanged, slit her own throat. He adamantly pleaded his innocence, yet he was still found guilty. The court even gave the three spirits which Arthur called upon names; Grissill, Ball, and Iacke. He asserted his innocence up until the moment he was executed.
The last two accounts of witches are much shorter than the other two. One is of Hellen Ienkenson, who was previously suspected of bewitching cattle. This time, she was accused of bewitching a child to death. She was ultimately found guilty and executed. The second short account is of Mary Barber. Mary came from extremely poor backgrounds, both lacking in education and characterized by violence and barbarism. Accused of bewitching a man to death, she was sentenced to the same fate.
- Tags AccusedMan, AccusedWoman, AccuserWoman, AngesBrowne, ArthurBill, Executed, Fit, Guilty, HellenJekenson, JoanVaughn, Livestock, MaryBarber, MistrisBelcher, NotGuilty, VictimChild, VictimDaughter, VictimMan, VictimMother, Witchcraft
Mary Bliss Parsons, the Witch of Northampton
The year 1656 wasn’t the first time Mary Bliss Parsons of Northampton was accused of witchcraft. Nineteen years later, in 1675, she was indicted for witchcraft and imprisoned for 10 weeks in Boston to await her trial. Some of the magistrates who sat in judgment of her went on to hear the horrific Salem witchcraft trials of 1692-3, the last hurrah for New England’s witch hunters. They had recognizable names: Thomas Danforth, Simon Bradstreet, William Stoughton and then-governor, John Leverett.
In 1612, a woman named Sarah Canon was accused of using witchcraft to harm her neighbors and manipulate the weather. She was subsequently put on trial, convicted, and eventually executed. The persecution of witches reached its peak in the 17th century, fueled by superstition, religious fervor, and fear of the unknown.
Mary Bliss Parsons
Mary Bliss was born in England in about 1627, most likely in Painswick Parish, Gloucestershire. She came to Mount Wollaston (now a part of Quincy) in the Massachusetts Bay Colony around 1635 at the age of about eight. She sailed with her parents and four elder step-brothers.
By 1640 they, and many others, had followed the great Puritan divine Thomas Hooker to Hartford in Connecticut Colony and belonged to the first group of settlers there.
Thomas Hoooker and his people
Many extant records and a number of depositions explain the accusations of witchcraft against Mary. When the whole story comes out it all comes down to the jealousy of one woman. Sarah Lyman Bridgman convinced other townsfolk that Mary Bliss Parsons—with the help of the devil—had caused their hard luck, even the deaths of their babies.
Mary wasn’t afraid to take her complaints and opinions right to the source of her grievance. If she paid you to weave some yarn and you delivered it full of flaws, she wouldn’t stand for it. If you borrowed the family’s team of oxen to plough a field and she saw you whipping and mistreating them, she would march across the field and give you a talking to.
Many innocent people, particularly women, were accused of witchcraft based on rumors, hearsay, and dubious evidence. The trials often involved bizarre rituals and torturous interrogations, leading to false confessions and convictions. Despite the dark history associated with witchcraft in Northamptonshire, there is also a rich tradition of herbalism and folk medicine in the region. Witches were often sought out for their knowledge of natural remedies and healing arts, leading to a blurred line between magic and medicine. Today, the legacy of the witches of Northamptonshire lives on in the form of local folklore, ghost stories, and tourist attractions. The county remains a popular destination for those interested in exploring witchcraft and the occult, with guided tours and museums dedicated to the subject. While the reality of witches and their supernatural powers remains a matter of debate, the witches of Northamptonshire continue to captivate the imagination and intrigue visitors from around the world. Their stories serve as a reminder of the enduring power of myth and the complex relationship between belief, fear, and the human experience..
Reviews for "The bewitching landscapes of Northamptonshire: exploring the witches' connection to nature"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Witches of Northamptonshire" as I love books about witches, but I was disappointed with this one. The story was slow-paced and nothing really seemed to happen until the last few chapters. The characters were also quite flat and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to connect with them. Overall, I found the book to be a bit boring and I couldn't wait for it to end.
2. David - 1 star - "The Witches of Northamptonshire" was a complete waste of my time. The writing style was choppy and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. The plot was predictable and lacked any originality. I also found it hard to follow the story as the author introduced too many unnecessary characters and subplots. The book felt like a drag to read and there was nothing memorable about it. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
3. Sophie - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Witches of Northamptonshire," but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The story had potential, but it was executed poorly. The pacing was inconsistent, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others felt rushed. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me confused at times. Overall, it was a disappointing read and I wouldn't recommend it to fellow readers.
4. Marcus - 2 stars - "The Witches of Northamptonshire" was a letdown for me. The premise sounded intriguing, but the execution was lacking. The writing style was overly descriptive, to the point where it became tedious to read. The plot was disjointed and the story didn't flow smoothly. I found myself losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading. Overall, it was a forgettable book that didn't live up to its potential.