Talk - Kent in Six Witch Trials

During the 17th century, the Assize Court Records for the county detail a number of bizarre cases which involve accusations of witchcraft, livestock killed by maleficium & children bewitched to death

Kent in Six Witch Trials - a talk by Wayne Perkins

One of the most infamous cases was the trial of the Faversham Witches, which led to the immediate execution of three women, with the fate of the fourth accused unknown

on an even larger scale was the case of the Maidstone Witches, which resulted in the execution of seven women. Charged with the ‘execrable & diabolical crime of witchcraft’ in 1652. witnesses claimed that they had bewitched a child to death & known the devil carnally

once feted as the ‘holy maid of Kent,’ Elizabeth Barton had ‘visions & portents’ Which ultimately led to her beheading on the orders of henry viii

Thomas Whiteling was accused of bewitching a child until she was, ‘greatly wasted, pined & consumed’

Joan Bydon was found guilty of bewitching both children & livestock to death

In the pamphlet, ‘the devil in Kent’ (published in 1647) Thomas Lipeatt of old sandwich claimed that he was visited by a ‘ball of fire’ & other apparitions

Tickets £5 on the door

You may also like the following events from Sheppey Little Theatre:

• This Saturday, 21st June, 07:30 pm, Isle of Sheppey Singers - The Magic of the Musicals in Sheerness
• Next month, 5th July, 07:30 pm, Meyrick Minstrels in Sheerness
• Next month, 18th July, 07:30 pm, Quiz in Sheerness