Fabulous Folklore: Yorkshire Witchcraft

York was a Viking capital in the 10th century, known as Jórvík. The first castle to be built in York was built in 1068 following the Norman conquest. It was destroyed by rebels and a Viking army in 1069 and was rebuilt - a fortified complex of castles, prisons, churches, law courts and other buildings. The medieval keep (pictured) is known as Clifford’s Tower. York Castle fell into disrepair in the 15th and 16th centuries, but much of the infrastructure still remains and you can walk around the city’s walls today.

Belief in Witchcraft was widespread in medieval Yorkshire, and feelings were mixed. Some were happy to seek help and healing from cunning folk, but others saw these types of people as evil wrongdoers. Later on in the 19th century, Witch Crosses were a popular type of protective magick used in the countryside. They were hung on the outside of barns and buildings to protect the people and animals inside.

Many local women were accused of being witches. Jennet Preston, one of the Pendle (Lancashire) Witches of 1612, was tried at York. It is thought that the outbreaks of “Witchcraft” in the Pendle area suggests that quite a few people were making a living as traditional healers, and that the two families involved ~ that went on to make accusations against each other ~ might have been in competition.

Mary Bateman was a spiritualist, petty thief and later murderer who was named The Yorkshire Witch. She gained this moniker through her claims she had supernatural powers. Born in North Yorkshire she became a con artist after being sacked from her employment for stealing. She told people they had become cursed or placed under harmful spells, prescribing them with charms and feeding one couple puddings in exchange for money. Unfortunately the puddings were laced with poison, but as only the wife ate the pudding and died, the husband reported her to the police. She was tried and executed in York.

In the 17th century, a man named Edward Fairfax believed that six women had bewitched his daughters. They were also tried at York Assizes but were thankfully cleared.

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