Name:
Margaret Flower
Date:
1619
Location:
Bottesford, Vale of Belvoir,
Leicestershire
Accusations:
After Margaret was dismissed
from service at Belvoir Castle by the wife of the Earl of Rutland,
she was accused along with her mother Joan and sister Philippa of
bewitching two of the Earl's sons to death in revenge. The magic was
worked against them in turn using a glove belonging to each boy,
items Margaret was responsible for procuring. An unsuccessful attempt
was likewise made on the life of Katherine, the Earl's daughter, and
it was believed that the Flower women had also made sure the Earl and
his wife would have no further children.
Outcome:
The three women were arrested, and after her mother died on the way to Lincoln, Margaret and her
sister made the rest of the journey to Lincoln Castle where they were
imprisoned and tried. Margaret
related how spirits and devils had appeared to her in her gaol cell;
it was only then that she realised her own guilt in the matter and
had not before that point thought herself a witch. No doubt terrified
and confused, the two sisters incriminated themselves and each other,
and Margaret and Philippa were found guilty and hanged.
