Discovering the Pendle Witches – talk and book signing
A talk on the Pendle witches by Carol Ann Lee, author of a ground-breaking book 'Something Wicked' that takes the reader on a spellbinding journey into the heart of England's largest and most notorious witch trial.
- Booking essential
On 20 August 1612, ten people from Pendle in Lancashire were executed before a vast crowd at Lancaster’s Gallows Hill. The condemned and their associates had endured six months of accusations, imprisonment and torture; their treatment was such that one of them died in Lancaster Castle’s dungeons while awaiting trial.
Today, a thriving tourism industry exists in and around Pendle, yet virtually everything we know about the case originates from a single source: Thomas Potts’ book 'The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches', published in 1613 and in blatant favour of the prosecution. Carol Ann Lee will discuss the approach she took in writing about the case for her book 'Something Wicked, the Lives, Crimes and Deaths of the Pendle Witches'.
Along the way, we will learn more about the people involved, separating fact from fiction, and examining why their stories still hold us spellbound today. Carol's new book will be on sale at Gawthorpe Hall on the day, and she will happily sign it for you.
This talk is linked to the exhibition 'An Account of Life: Gawthorpe in the 1600s', where an original copy of Thomas Potts' 1613 book is on display. Carol Ann Lee is a bestselling author, whose books have been the basis for two major television series (White House Farm and A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story).
Times
Prices
| Ticket type | Ticket category |
|---|---|
| Event ticket price | £8.00 |
The basics
- Booking details
Call 01282771004
- Suitability
not suitable for small chidren
- Accessibility
This event is on the ground floor, there are steps up to the room, due to the historic nature of the building there is no lift.
Upcoming events
Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition
A fantastic display of beautiful historic textiles from the collection of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, across four rooms of the Hall.
An Account of Life: Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s
An exhibition bringing the household of Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s to life, through the original account books of the Shuttleworth Family.
The Craft House: a talk about Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth and her textile collection
This talk by the curator of Gawthorpe Textiles Collection tells the fascinating story of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, who grew up at Gawthorpe Hall and had a passion for textiles and craft.
Outdoor theatre – Treasure Island
Take to the high seas with Off the Ground outdoor theatre in their original version of the swashbuckling classic tale Treasure Island!