Elizabeth Clarke facts for kids
Elizabeth Clarke (born around 1565, died 1645) was an elderly woman who was one of the first people accused by the famous "Witchfinder General," Matthew Hopkins. This happened in 1645 in Essex, England. At about 80 years old, she was accused of being a witch by a local tailor named John Rivet.
Matthew Hopkins and his assistant, John Stearne, took charge of the investigation. They claimed they saw strange creatures, called familiars, while watching her. During their questioning, Elizabeth was kept awake for many nights. Because of this, she confessed and named other women in the area, saying they were also involved in witchcraft. She was then put on trial in Chelmsford and later executed.
The Witchcraft Trial
Elizabeth Clarke was accused of putting a curse on the wife of John Rivet, a tailor from Manningtree, in the winter of 1643. A group of angry people brought her to Sir Harbottle Grimston, who owned the land she lived on. He decided that she should be put on trial. Matthew Hopkins, along with John Stearne and Mary Phillipps, became the "Watchers." Their job was to investigate and accuse people.
Even though using torture was against the law in England at that time, people suspected of witchcraft were treated very harshly by their Watchers. In Elizabeth Clarke's case, Hopkins and his team watched her for several days and nights. They did not let her sleep at all. After this difficult experience, Hopkins said he saw Elizabeth Clarke calling out to familiars. These were believed to be evil spirits that looked like animals.
During this time, Elizabeth Clarke named other women from Manningtree. These included Anne West and her daughter Rebecca, Anne Leech, Helen Clarke, and Elizabeth Gooding. She also named women from other villages. Elizabeth Clarke said that Anne West had introduced her to witchcraft. She claimed Anne West felt sorry for her because she was poor and had only one leg. The women found by Hopkins were put on trial at Chelmsford on July 17, 1645. Elizabeth confessed because of the pressure and unfair treatment she received. This led to 35 women being accused and sent to prison.
Elizabeth Clarke's Familiars
During the trials, the Watchers described many of the imps, or familiars, they claimed to have seen with Elizabeth Clarke. These descriptions were part of the evidence against her.
Here are some of the familiars they described:
- Jarmana: A white dog with sandy spots. It was described as fat with short legs.
- Vinegar Tom: A greyhound with long legs. They said it turned into a 4-year-old boy with no head.
- A black imp: This one was simply described by its color.
- Newes: A polecat, which is like a ferret, with a large head.
- Hoult: A white imp, smaller than a cat.
- White imps: These were said to go to bed with Clarke. They appeared in the shape of a "proper gentleman" wearing a fancy collar.
- Three brown imps: These were said to have come from her mother.
- Sacke and Sugar: A black rabbit that was believed to be a demon.
- Other familiars: Some were mentioned by name but not described, such as Elemauzer, Pyewacket, Peck-in-the-crown, and Grizel Greedigut.
Images for kids
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Frontispiece of The Discovery of Witches, 1647. Elizabeth Clarke appears on the right
