Hazells Histories – Witches

The Witchcraft Act of 1604 brought in by James 1st/6th was only abolished in 1736. James’s own version of the bible has in Exodus 22: 18 “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live” a powerful way of dealing mostly with women who were perceived as witches; mainly old, wizened and a little cranky. We associate the name Salem with witches, perhaps the most infamous witch trials of all were held at Salem in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Then, over 200 people were accused of witchcraft probably brought about by what we know today as mass hysteria, 20 people put to death. This is why the name Salem is now vilified but somewhat bizarre considering it is a shortened version of Jerusalem; intriguingly we have a Salem Place in Kings Road (shown)! In Bury St Edmunds we too have had our fair share of witches’ trials. The so-called Witch-Finder General Matthew Hopkins from Manningtree, plied his trade in the town receiving 20 shillings for putting at least 200 people on trial, of these 18 were put to death in August 1645. His favourite way of finding a witch was to “swim” the poor wretched soul, tying their thumbs to their big toes and immersing them in water. Those who swam were guilty, catch 22! Eventually he was exposed as a charlatan and disappeared, dying in 1647. In 1664, Bury was the scene for another witch trial; that of two Lowestoft widows Amy Duny and Rose Cullender, both were executed on the most trivial flimsy evidence.

Today, Moyses Hall has a good display of articles dealing with witches and the Nutshell PH has a mummified cat on display, thought to be a defence against witches. Interestingly there was once a ducking stool aside the River Lark by the Fox Inn for scolds (public nuisances) and cheats last used in 1833. Visit now to find out more about Bury St Edmunds magical history!