Gwen ferch Ellis facts for kids

Gwen ferch Ellis (which means "Gwen, daughter of Ellis" in Welsh) was born around 1542 in a place called Llandyrnog in Wales. She is an important figure in Welsh history because her story is the earliest known record of someone being accused and put to death for what people at the time believed was witchcraft in Wales. She was accused in 1594 and died that same year.

Early Life

Gwen ferch Ellis was born in the Llandyrnog area around the year 1542. We don't know her mother's name, but her father's first name was Ellis. When she was young, Gwen went to live with her uncle, Harry ap Roger. She stayed with him until she got married.

Her Marriages

Gwen was married three times during her life. Her first husband, Lewis ap David ap Gwyn, passed away after they had been married for only two years.

In 1588, she married a man named Lewis ap David ap Gruffith Gethin, who was a miller. They moved to his mill in a village called Llanelian-yn-Rhos. Sadly, her second husband also died after just 18 months of marriage.

In 1592, Gwen married John ap Morrice. He was from a nearby area called Betws yn Rhos, and they settled there. We don't know what happened to her third husband, as he wasn't mentioned during the events that followed.

The Accusation

Gwen's story became part of history in 1594. At this time, she was questioned by William Hughes (Bishop of St Asaph). People suspected her of using "charms."

Records show that Gwen earned her living by spinning thread and making linen cloth. She also explained that she was a healer. She made special creams and bandages to help treat sick animals. She would do this in exchange for small gifts like food or other goods. Gwen also cared for sick people, including children. She said she used charms to help them get better and to keep them safe.

The Charm That Caused Trouble

Using spoken or written charms was quite common in Wales and other parts of Great Britain back then. However, the situation Gwen was involved in was different for a few reasons.

A written charm was found at the home of Thomas Mostyn, who was a very important gentleman in North Wales. What made this charm unusual was that it was written backwards. In those times, people believed that a charm written backwards was meant to cause harm, not to heal. Gwen was connected to this because she knew Jane Conway, who seemed to have had a disagreement with Thomas Mostyn.

Trial and Outcome

After the bishop questioned Gwen, local leaders called magistrates were given permission to talk to people who wanted to speak against her. Five men and two women came forward with accusations.

They claimed that Gwen had caused a child to become unwell. They also said she had caused the death of a sick man who passed away shortly after she had treated him. People also accused her of being vengeful, all through what they believed was witchcraft.

Later in 1594, Gwen was put on trial because of these accusations. She was found responsible for the things she was accused of. She was then put to death in the town square of Denbigh before the end of that year. Her story shows us how people's beliefs and fears could lead to tragic events in the past.