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The trials of the Pendle and Samlesbury witches (statue pictured), among the most famous of England's witch trials, began at the assizes in Lancaster.
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Pendle witches
English witch hunt and trial in 1612
The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area surrounding Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Samlesbury witches
17th-century English women accused of witchcraft
The Samlesbury witches were three women from the Lancashire village of Samlesbury – Jane Southworth, Jennet Bierley, and Ellen Bierley – accused by a 14-year-old girl, Grace Sowerbutts, of practising witchcraft. Their trial at Lancaster Assizes in England on 19 August 1612 was…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Witch hunt
Search for witchcraft or subversive activity
A witch hunt, or a witch purge, is a search for people who have been labeled witches or a search for evidence of witchcraft. Practicing evil spells or incantations was proscribed and punishable in early human civilizations in the Middle East. In medieval Europe, witch-hunts…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Assizes
Periodic courts held around England and Wales until replaced by the Crown Court in 1972
The assizes, or courts of assize, were periodic courts held around England and Wales until 1972, when together with the quarter sessions they were abolished by the Courts Act 1971 and replaced by a single permanent Crown Court. The assizes exercised both civil and criminal…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)
Lancaster, Lancashire
City in Lancashire, England
Lancaster is a city in Lancashire, England, and the main cultural hub, economic and commercial centre of City of Lancaster district. The city is on the River Lune, directly inland from Morecambe Bay. Lancaster is the county town, although Lancashire County Council has been based…Source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)