Margaret Harkett facts for kids
Margaret Harkett was an English woman who lived a long time ago. She was put to death on February 19, 1585, in a place called Tyburn. She was accused of practicing witchcraft.
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Margaret Harkett's Story
Margaret Harkett was a sixty-year-old widow from a town called Stanmore. In her time, many people believed in witchcraft. This was a time when people thought some individuals could use magic to harm others.
Accusations and Trial
Margaret was accused of using witchcraft to harm two of her neighbors. People believed she had cast spells that caused them to die. Because of these serious accusations, she was put on trial. The court decided she was guilty and sentenced her to death.
A New Law and a Sad End
Margaret Harkett was put to death by hanging at Tyburn. She was the very first person to be executed for witchcraft in the city of London after a new law was introduced. This law was called the Witchcraft Act of 1563. This act made witchcraft a serious crime in England.
Margaret Harkett's case became well-known. Her story was shared in a special kind of book called a pamphlet. This pamphlet was published in 1585 and was titled The Several Facts of Witchcraft approved and laid to the charge of Margaret Harkett. It helped spread the word about her trial and what happened to her.
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