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Who Were The Pendle Witches? - A Guide to Who Was Who in the Infamous Trial

In the summer of 1612, 12 people from Pendle in Lancashire were accused of witchcraft and imprisoned at Lancaster Castle. Of these 12 people, 9 were sentenced to death after being found guilty of performing witchcraft.


Twelve people is a lot of names to remember! And it can get very confusing trying to work out who did what and why when it comes to the Pendle Witches. So, we’ve written out a handy list of names so you can get a better idea of who was who, what they did and what happened to them.


Silhouette of a witch on a broomstick against a starry blue background. Text: "Who were The Pendle Witches? A Guide to Who was Who in the Infamous Trial."

Who were the Pendle Witches?

The Pendle Witches were mostly made up of two local families (who were constantly falling out with each other) and their friends. These two families were headed by two elderly widows called Elizabeth Southerns, known as “Old Demdike” and Anne Whittle, known as “Chattox”.


Family tree diagram of the Demdike family. Elizabeth Southerns at the top, followed by descendants like Elizabeth Device and her children.
The Demdike Family Tree - Courtesy Malleus Fatuarum

The Demdike Family:


Elizabeth Southerns

  • Known as "Old Demdike"

  • Head of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft by Alison Device

  • Died in her prison cell before the trial


Elizabeth Device

  • Demdike’s daughter

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Alison Device 

  • One of Elizabeth Device’s daughters

  • The first to be accused of witchcraft

  • Accused Demdike, Chattox, and Anne Redfern of being witches

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


James Device

  • Elizabeth Device’s son

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Jennet Device 

  • Elizabeth Device’s other daughter

  • Only 9 years old

  • Jennet was not accused of witchcraft

  • She gave evidence against her own family members in their trial


John Device 

  • Elizabeth’s husband

  • Father to Alison, James, and Jennet

  • John died in 1601 – the Demdike family believed Chattox used witchcraft to kill him


Chattox family tree diagram showing Anne Whittle, Elizabeth Whittle, Anne Redferne, Thomas Redferne married, and Mary Redferne.
The Chattox Family Tree - Courtesy Malleus Fatuarum

The Chattox Family:


Anne Whittle

  • Also known as "Chattox"

  • Head of the Chattox family

  • Sworn enemies of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft by Alison Device

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Anne Redfern

  • One of Chattox’s daughters

  • Accused of witchcraft by Alison Device

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Other Members of the Pendle Witches:


Pendle witches Anne Redfern and Chattox in period clothing walk past a crowd under a maypole with garlands. The scene is illustrated in black and white, creating a somber mood.
The enemies of the Demdike family - Anne Redfern and Chattox

Jane Bulcock 

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


John Bulcock

  • Son of Jane Bulcock

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Alice Grey 

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • The only person out of the 12 Pendle Witches who was found not guilty


Katherine Hewitt

  • Known as “Mould-Heels”

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Alice Nutter

  • A religious woman from a rich family

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Jennet Preston

  • Friend of the Demdike family

  • Accused of witchcraft after attending a meeting at Demdike’s home, Malkin Tower

  • Originally from Yorkshire

  • Unlike the other Pendle Witches, Jennet Preston was imprisoned and put on trial in Yorkshire

  • Found guilty of witchcraft and sentenced to death


Now you know who's who, why not check out the ins and outs of this terrifying trial? Find the full details on what happened, here.


Can't get enough of witches? Us neither! Find out about the famous Salem Witch Trials here and the "Other Pendle Witches", otherwise known as the Samlesbury Witches here.

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