A rare, 300-year-old book detailing the 1662 witch trial that is said to have inspired the infamous Salem Witch Trials is now on display at Moyse’s Hall Museum in Bury St Edmunds. The book recounts the trial of Rose Cullender and Amy Denny, two widows from Lowestoft accused of witchcraft, offering a chilling glimpse into 17th-century superstitions and the precarious lives of women. This book offers a direct link to one of history’s most notorious events and sheds light on the social anxieties of the time.
Quick Summary
- 300-year-old book about the trial of two women accused of witchcraft, believed to have inspired the Salem Witch Trials, goes on display.
- Trial in 1662, book published in 1716.
- “It is terrifying to think that these poor women that were probably already on the periphery of society were accused of something that was very unusual.” – Daniel Clarke, Heritage Officer.
The Accusation
In 1662, Rose Cullender and Amy Denny, two widows living in Lowestoft, faced accusations of witchcraft. According to Daniel Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall Museum, these women were already in a vulnerable position due to their status as unmarried and unemployed.
The Trial
The widows were accused of bewitching local children and were brought before the court in Bury St Edmunds. Renowned judges, including Sir Matthew Hale, presided over the trial and ultimately found them guilty, sentencing them to death.
Salem Connection
The Hale’s trials are considered to have inspired the Salem Witch Trials. While the exact influence remains debated, some historians believe this particular trial, with its well-documented details, played a significant role.
A Window into the Past
The book, titled A Tryal of Witches, At the Assizes Held at Bury St Edmunds for the County of Suffolk, was published in 1716, 54 years after the trial. It offers a contemporary perspective on the events and highlights the public fascination with witchcraft at the time.
The Salem Witch Trials took place in Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693, resulting in the conviction of 20 people and the accusation of over 150 more.“It is terrifying to think that these poor women that were probably already on the periphery of society were accused of something that was very unusual,” said Daniel Clarke, heritage officer at Moyse’s Hall Museum.
The book was purchased for £3,000 by the Bury Society and Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum.
FAQs
- Q: What are the Salem Witch Trials?
- A: A series of hearings and prosecutions of people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between 1692 and 1693.
- Q: Where is Moyse’s Hall Museum?
- A: Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, England.
Conclusion
The rare book detailing the 1662 witch trial is now on display at Moyse’s Hall Museum as part of the “Superstition: Strange Wonders and Curiosities” exhibition, running from February 15th to April 6th.
