The Witches of St Osyth

The first substantive history of a neglected subject, this is a compelling account of one of England's most important witch-trials.

Marion Gibson (Author)

9781108494670, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 December 2022

256 pages
22.3 x 14.4 x 2.4 cm, 0.56 kg

'A remarkable book … Gibson's sensitive reconstruction reads against the grain, draws on archival finds and reimagines lost magical landscapes.' Jan Machielsen, Times Literary Supplement

An emotive, haunting story of a community torn apart, the Essex witch accusations and trial of 1581-2 are, taken together, one of the pivotal instances of that malign and destructive wave of misogynistic persecution which periodically broke over early modern England. Yet, for all their importance in the overall study of witchcraft, the so-called witches of St Osyth have largely been overlooked by scholars. Marion Gibson now sets right that neglect. Using fresh archival sources – and investigating not just the village itself, but also its neighbouring Elizabethan hamlets and habitations – the author offers revelatory new insights into the sixteen women and one man accused of sorcery while asking wider, provocative questions about the way history is recollected and interpreted. Combining landscape detective work, a reconstruction of lost spaces and authoritative readings of crucial documents, Gibson skilfully unlocks the poignant personal histories of those denied the chance to speak for themselves.

Introduction: Welcome to St Osyth
1. St Osyth: Grace, Ursley, Annis and Ales
2. The Darcy Lands: Elizabeth, Ales, Margerie and Joan
3. Little Clacton: Cisley and Henry
4. The Sokens: Ales, Margaret, Elizabeth and Joan
5. Little Oakley and Beaumont cum Moze: Annis
6. An untrue and unjust record
Conclusion: Once more with feeling.

Subject Areas: History of religion [HRAX], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1], Literature: history & criticism [DS]