Witches of Warboys facts for kids

The Witches of Warboys were Alice Samuel and her family. They were accused of witchcraft and put to death between 1589 and 1593. This happened in the village of Warboys, England. Their trial was one of many witch trials from that time. One expert, Barbara Rosen, said it was "probably more noticed than any other in the 1500s".

What Happened in Warboys?

The witch trials took place in the late 1500s in Warboys, Huntingdonshire. The first accusations were made in November 1589. Jane Throckmorton, a 9-year-old girl, started having strange fits. Jane was the daughter of Robert Throckmorton, the local Squire. She blamed 76-year-old Alice Samuel for her illness. Jane's four sisters and some house servants also started having similar problems. When Alice Samuel was brought near the children, they got even sicker. They also felt a strong urge to scratch her.

Robert Throckmorton was a good friend of Sir Henry Cromwell. Sir Henry was one of the richest commoners in England. He was also the grandfather of Oliver Cromwell, who later became a very important leader. In March 1590, Lady Cromwell, Sir Henry's wife, visited Warboys. She spoke with Alice Samuel at the Throckmorton house. What happened after this meeting seemed to confirm the Throckmortons' suspicions. Lady Cromwell said Alice Samuel tormented her in her dreams. After some time, Lady Cromwell became ill and died in 1592. This was seen as enough proof to put Alice Samuel and her family on trial. They were later found guilty.

First Accusations of Witchcraft

The Throckmorton Family's Illness

The first claims that Alice Samuel was a witch came in November 1589. After Jane, twelve maid-servants and her four sisters also suffered from fits. They believed Alice Samuel's witchcraft was causing their pain. Jane's fits were very strange. Sometimes she would sneeze loudly for half an hour. Other times, she would lie still as if in a deep sleep. Then her belly would swell up, and no one could hold her down. She might shake one leg, then the other, or her arms and head, like she had a shaking illness.

Jane's mother and grandmother stayed by her side. Neighbors also came to see her. When Alice Samuel entered the room, Jane pointed and said, "Grandmother, look where the old witch sits! Did you ever see anyone more like a witch than she is? Take off her black cap, I cannot look at her." At first, Jane's mother thought her child was just tired and sick. But Jane kept getting worse. Her parents then contacted Doctor Barrow from Cambridge. He sent medicine three times, hoping to cure her. It did not work. After the third time, the doctor asked if there were any signs of magic or witchcraft.

Exactly one month later, two more of Master Throckmorton's daughters fell ill. They had the same sickness as Jane. These daughters were two or three years older than Jane. They cried out, "Take her away! Look, she stands here before us in a black cap! She has bewitched us and will kill us if you don't take her away!"

The parents were very worried. They could not understand why this was happening to them. They had only moved to the town the September before. Their youngest daughter, nine years old, got sick less than a month later. Soon after, the oldest daughter, fifteen years old, also fell ill. She was the sickest of the five. Both of them also cried out against Alice Samuel. Their eldest sister, who was usually the strongest, fought against the strange power. She was badly tortured and could not overcome it. When sitting, her fits often caused her to break her chair.

During these fits, the daughters could not see, hear, or feel. They accused Mother Samuel and demanded she be taken away. These fits sometimes lasted for half a day. They could happen up to six or seven times a day. The sisters believed that God freed them from this sorcery. Afterwards, they remembered nothing of what they had said.

Lady Cromwell's Experience

In March 1590, Lady Cromwell and Alice Samuel talked about the accusations. During this talk, Lady Cromwell reportedly took some scissors. She cut a lock of hair from Alice Samuel. She gave it to Mrs. Throckmorton to burn. This was a folk belief that burning a witch's hair could weaken their power. That night, Lady Cromwell had bad dreams. She became ill and later died in 1592.

The Warboys Witch Trial

After Lady Cromwell's death, a local church leader convinced Alice Samuel to admit to witchcraft. But she changed her mind the very next day. However, she confessed again when she was brought before the Bishop of Lincoln. She was then taken to Huntingdon and put in prison with her daughter and husband. The family was put on trial in April 1593. They were accused of causing Lady Cromwell's death through witchcraft. Alice's words to Lady Cromwell, "Madam, why do you use me thus? I never did you any harm as yet," were used against her. All three were found guilty and were later hanged.

The jailer and his wife checked the bodies. They found a witches' mark (also called a "devil's mark"). This was seen as important legal proof in England at that time.

What Happened Afterwards

The expert George Kittredge (1860–1941) called the Warboys trial "the most important witch-trial that had ever happened in England." He said it had a "deep and lasting impression" on the people who made laws. He believed the Warboys trial helped lead to the Witchcraft Act of 1604. This law made witchcraft a serious crime.

After the hangings, Robert Throckmorton quickly left Warboys. His wife reportedly died shortly before he left.

In Culture

In Kate Pullinger's 1999 novel, Weird Sister, Agnes Samuel comes back to the present day. She terrorizes the Throckmorton family, who still live in Warboys. But they do not remember the events from the late 1500s.