Lancaster Castle - Pendle Witches
Lancaster Castle is an imposing building it occupies a city centre hilltop location on the site of three successive Roman forts. It consists of an extensive group of historic structures, including the 12th century Keep, the 14th century Witches' Tower, the 15th century Gatehouse, and the Female Penitentiary, which dates from the early years of the 19th century. It is a Grade I Listed Building, with the area to the north of it designated as a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Lancaster Castle has recently opened up its door to paranormal groups and ghost hunters, to find evidence of it's resident ghosts.
One of the most famous and dramatic events to take place in Lancashire occurred at Lancaster Castle almost 400 years ago, the Pendle Witch trials. The ten accused witches all lived in the' surrounding Pendle Hill area and were charged with the murders of ten people using witchcraft.
Pendle Hill, is almost a mountain, it is a hypnotic and very atmospheric place. In the year 1612 there stood a huge limestone tower known as Malkin tower where a family of local peasants lived. But not just an ordinary family, these so called peasants were in league with the devil, they made clay effigies and used human hair and teeth to make these effigies.
Several local villagers died of mysterious illnesses, some in great pain. The milk was said to have turned blue, cattle died without a mark on their bodies and the locals feared venturing on to the hill. The local magistrate Roger Nowell in great fear for his life arranged the arrest of two of the suspected witches. Both were sent to Lancaster Castle to be tried, two days later all the other witches met at the tower but within weeks all were taken to Lancaster Castle for trial and certain death by hanging, several of the woman died in the castle's prison before they could be sent to the gallows .
The remaining Pendle Witches were hung on Lancaster Moor, the supposed tomb of Alice Nutter can still be seen in St Mary's Churchyard. Many persons over the past centuries have sadly lost their lives on the hill and many locals still steadfastly refuse to go on the hill after dark due to the numerous sightings of ghosts and spirits that have been seen, felt and heard.
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Lancaster Castle - Pendle WitchesLancaster Castle - Ghosts
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