There were some witchcraft accusations before the courts in the later 17th century that I don’t know much about.
Joan Harding was imprisoned in Reading accused of witchcraft but was freed on 20th July 1658 because the case against her was considered insufficient.
On 22nd February 1662, Christina Wicks was on trial accused of incantation and the care and feeding of a spirit which under the 1604 Witchcraft Act was a capital felony. She was found not guilty.
Mary Andrews of Welford, was on trial in Reading on 22 September 1665, accused of bewitching John Fisher. She was found not guilty even though he had died.
On 2nd March 1675 in Reading an accusation against Joan Martin of performing magic was thrown out as there was insufficient evidence.
Margret Jones was accused of enchantment and murder at a trial in Reading 5th March 1683 and also found not guilty.
In all of these cases the accused was not convicted, and sometimes not even put on trial. Perhaps the courts had become sceptical of the crime of witchcraft.
These cases sound interesting! Hopefully you’ll be able to research each one and make posts like the Waldron case.
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These are ones I don’t know much about. Perhaps this post will prompt someone to post something which will unlock one of these.
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