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Talk on: Witches, Dark Arts and Demonology

Popular speaker Dr Colin Penny is back with a new talk about why there was a moral panic about witches and what were the horrors of the supernatural in the 1600s?

  • Booking essential

The terrible trials of witches in Lancaster in 1612 took part against a widespread fear of witchcraft. Dr Colin Penny asks why was there a moral panic about witches and what were the horrors of the supernatural in the 1600s?

Now you can find out about King James I, his obsession with witchcraft, his book Demonology and the social turmoil of the 1600s which created such terror.

Linked to the current exhibition 'An Account of Life: Gawthorpe Hall in the 1600s' exhibition, which includes new written evidence about the witches sent to trial at Lancaster from the Pendle area. Plus, you can see the original Thomas Potts' 1613 book 'The Wonderful Discoverie of Witches in Lancashire' in the exhibition.

Booking essential, £8 per person includes admission to the Hall and to the 'Account of Life: Gawthorpe in the 1600s' exhibition

Times

Prices

Event prices

Ticket typeTicket category
Event ticket price£8.00

The basics

Booking details

Call 01282771004

Accessibility

This event is in Servant's Hall in the basement, with flat access from the outside.

Contact info

Lancashire County Council

Upcoming events

Event

Gawthorpe Textiles Collection exhibition 

A fantastic display of beautiful historic textiles from the collection of Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, across four rooms of the Hall.

Event summary

on
23 Jul to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 74 other dates or times
Event

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.

Event summary

on
23 Jul to 2 Nov 2025
at
12:00 to 17:00
+ 74 other dates or times
Event

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!

Event summary

on
26 Jul 2025
at
18:30 to 21:30
Event

Celebrating Charlotte Bronte 

An afternoon of crafts and fun celebrating Charlotte Bronte's connections to Gawthorpe Hall.

Event summary

on
31 Jul 2025
at
12:00 to 16:00