The Samlesbury Witches - The Story of the "Other Pendle Witches"

Maybe you're familiar with the trials of the Pendle Witches; 12 people from Pendle in Lancashire were accused of witchcraft and imprisoned at Lancaster Castle in the summer of 1612.

But the 12 unfortunate souls from Pendle weren't the only ones accused of devious magical deeds in that ill-fated season. Did you know there were five other witches joining them in the grimy cells of Lancaster Castle?

The Samlesbury Witches - the "Other Pendle Witches"

Like the Pendle Witches, the Samlesbury Witches were another collection of people all accused of witchcraft at the same time. Though this group hailed from Samlesbury, Lancashire, their experiences were much the same as those from Pendle.

The witches were imprisoned in a dank cell under the Well Tower at Lancaster Castle.

Imprisonment and Trial

Originally 8 people were accused of witchcraft but only 3 came to trial in Lancaster Castle: Jane Southworth, Eileen Brierley, and Jennet Brierley. The three ladies from Samlesbury were imprisoned in the same dank cell under the Well Tower and forced to go through the same unfair trial as the Pendle Witches.

Questionable Evidence

Echoing the story from Pendle, the only evidence against the Samlesbury three was provided by a young girl, fourteen-year-old Grace Sowerbutts. Grace was related to Eileen and Jennet, but this didn't stop her from telling the court that the women consorted with demons and committed murder.

The Verdict

There is one major divergence from the Pendle Witch story, and an important one too. It was discovered that Grace had been told to spread lies about the three women and accuse them of witchcraft. The Lancaster Castle judges found no further evidence against the Samlesbury women and declared them all not guilty.

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Ready to discover the story behind the trial of the Pendle Witches? Find out all about it right here.

Or perhaps American witches are more of interest to you? Check out the Salem Witch Trials here.