Anne Bodenham facts for kids
Anne Bodenham (died 1653) was an English woman who was executed for witchcraft.
She worked as a "cunning woman" in Salisbury, England. A cunning woman was someone people went to for help with problems. They might offer advice, find lost things, or try to heal illnesses. Anne Bodenham was also an assistant to a man named John Lambe.
Who Was Anne Bodenham?
Anne Bodenham lived in England during the 1600s. This was a time when many people believed in witchcraft. She was known in her community as a "cunning woman." People often went to cunning folk for help with everyday issues. They believed these individuals had special knowledge or powers.
Accusations of Witchcraft
Anne Bodenham was accused of witchcraft by a woman named Anne Styles. Anne Styles herself was facing serious charges at the time. She claimed that Anne Bodenham had made a deal with dark forces. Styles also said that Bodenham tried to convince her to do the same.
Rumors about Anne Bodenham were widespread. People believed she could call upon demons. They also thought she could change herself into different animals. These animals included a dog, a lion, a bear, a wolf, or even a monkey.
The Trial and Outcome
During her trial, Anne Bodenham was examined for a "Devil's mark." This was believed to be a special sign on the body. People thought it showed a person had made a pact with evil. She was found guilty of the charges against her.
Anne Bodenham was executed by hanging in Salisbury in 1653.
Her Lasting Impact
Anne Bodenham's case became very famous. It was written about in two pamphlets published in London in 1653. These were titled Doctor Lamb Revived, or, Witchcraft Condemned in Anne Bodenham and Doctor Lambs Darling.
A scholar named Henry More from Cambridge studied her case closely. He wrote about it in a book on witchcraft published in 1655. This book was considered very important. It came out during a time when England was experiencing its last major witch hunt. More used Anne Bodenham's story to argue that witchcraft truly existed.
