Elizabeth Clarke facts for kids
Elizabeth Clarke (born around 1606, died 1645) was a woman from Essex, England. She became known as one of the first people accused by Matthew Hopkins, a famous "Witchfinder General," in 1645. At about 39 years old, a local tailor named John Rivet accused her of witchcraft. Matthew Hopkins and his assistant, John Stearne, investigated her case. They claimed to have seen strange animal-like spirits, called familiars, while watching her. During this difficult time, she was kept awake for many nights. This led her to confess and name other women in the area. Elizabeth Clarke was later tried in a court in Chelmsford and was found guilty. She was executed for witchcraft.
The Accusation and Trial
Elizabeth Clarke, sometimes called Bedinfield, faced serious accusations in the winter of 1643. People claimed she had put a curse on the wife of John Rivet, a tailor from Manningtree. A group of angry villagers took her to Sir Harbottle Grimston, who owned the land she lived on. He decided that Elizabeth should face a trial.
Matthew Hopkins and his team, including John Stearne and Mary Phillipps, became her "Watchers." Their job was to investigate and gather evidence against her. Even though physical torture was against the law in England at the time, people accused of witchcraft were treated very harshly. In Elizabeth's case, Hopkins and his helpers kept her awake for many days and nights. This method was used to make people confess.
After this difficult experience, Hopkins claimed he saw Elizabeth calling out to familiars. These were believed to be small spirits in animal shapes. During this time, Elizabeth named other women from Manningtree and nearby villages. She said that Anne West had introduced her to witchcraft because Anne felt sorry for Elizabeth's poverty and having only one leg. These women, found by Hopkins, were later tried at a special court session called the assizes in Chelmsford on July 17, 1645.
Under pressure from the "watching" and imprisonment, Elizabeth confessed. Her confession led to 35 other women being accused and sent to prison.
What Were Familiars?
During the trials, the "Watchers" claimed they saw Elizabeth Clarke with several "familiars." People at the time believed these were small spirits or helpers, often appearing as animals, that worked with witches. The Watchers described them in their testimonies:
- Jarmana: A white dog with sandy spots, described as fat with short legs.
- Vinegar Tom: A greyhound with long legs. They also claimed it could change into a 4-year-old boy without a head.
- A black imp (a small, mischievous spirit).
- Newes: A polecat (a type of weasel) with a large head.
- Hoult: A white imp, said to be smaller than a cat.
- White imps that supposedly appeared as a "proper gentleman" with a fancy collar.
- Three brown imps, which Elizabeth reportedly said came from her mother.
- Sacke and Sugar: A black rabbit.
- Other familiars mentioned by name were Elemauzer, Pyewacket, Peck-in-the-crown, and Grizel Greedigut.
