HERITAGE TALK: TALES OF THE TYNESIDE WITCHES

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.

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