We are pleased to welcome back Pat Stevens, who has previously given very well received talks about the local women involved in the suffragette movement and also about Geordie Ridley the mid-19th century Tyneside concert hall songwriter and performer, whose legendary songs were a commentary on local working-class life.
This time she is sharing her research on tales of Tyneside witches over centuries and explaining how these can be set in the political, economic, and social context of the times.
The most notable involve the Newcastle witch trial of 1649-50 referred to by North Shields businessman, Ralph Gardiner in his famous pamphlet ‘England’s Grievance Discovered’ in 1655, challenging the trade restrictions imposed on the town by Newcastle.
This was the biggest witch trial in England, resulting in the hanging on the Town Moor of 14 women and one man.
She will also include a story about how remains found outside the medieval St Mary’s Church, Gateshead, now a heritage centre, were linked to parish records about a witch and finally, a story, probably a myth, about how during the 1800s, one of the Delaval family came across a group of witches at the Holy Cross Church in Wallsend, with all escaping except one who he took back with him to Seaton Delaval Hall.
Pat explained: “There have been many stories about witches over the centuries, with the most prominent being the Newcastle witch trial, which happened at a time of turmoil within the country and women were blamed for bad things that were happening. Others have been more about conjecture or myths, especially the Wallsend story that has been embellished over time.
“It is interesting to look at these events and stories against what else was happening at the time and the influence of political, economic and social circumstances.”