The year was 1612, a turbulent time in England’s history, an era of religious persecution and superstition.
James I was king and having survived the Gunpowder Plot of 1605 feared rebellion.
His fear and anger brought with it harsh penalties for anyone keeping the Catholic faith and his suspicious nature led to an obsession with witchcraft.
Local magistrates looking to find favour with King James became zealous in their pursuit of witchcraft. When the Pendle Witches were put on trial, a London clerk Thomas Potts recorded the trial and sent it around the country as a warning and a guide on finding evidence of witchcraft.