The Museum of Witchcraft

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Persecution of Witches

The hanging of three Chelmsford witches (1589)

The first witchcraft trial in England was in July 1565 in Chelmsford, Essex. Agnes Waterhouse was found guilty of 'bewitching to death' and hanged two days later.

This trial was the first of many in which the possession of a cat (familiar) was used as evidence in the trial. The bulk of the evidence against Mother Waterhouse was from a twelve year old child.

During the next 150 years thousands of women were condemned to death on flimsy evidence and confessions extracted under torture.

The Museum displays a selection of torture devices from the period including a 'scolds bridle'. These devices were clamped over the accused's head, a spiked tongue made sure the victim could not scream.

It is not known how many European women and men were put to death for witchcraft but estimates vary from 100,000 to several million.

Scolds Bridle

The persecution of witches still continues: many modern witches have to meet in secret for fear of persecution. In 1996 the Museum of Witchcraft received 24 letters of objection to a planning application. All of these letters objected on religious and moral grounds.

One of the common tests of witchcraft was to throw the suspect into deep water. If the water, "Gods Creature", rejected her and she floated, she was guilty. If she sank, she was innocent. Two men held her with ropes so as to draw her up again if she sank.

The owners of the Museum believe that tolerance of all beliefs is the only way forward. The Museum is dedicated to the memory of those who suffered and died accused of witchcraft.

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