Cuthbert The Bad & The Lancashire Witches

The trials of the Lancashire Witches that took place at Lancaster Castle in August 1612 are among the most famous and infamous in English history. Twenty people stood accused, of whom ten were hanged on Golgotha Hill overlooking the town, and the case stands as the second-largest witchcraft trial in British legal history. The story is well known and has been the inspiration for many books, television and radio shows. Yet no-one (until now!) has answered one fundamental question - why did these events occur in 1612? Based on original research, this talk will uncover the man who was the instigator of the trials and his motivation for doing so - a man who was linked with the Essex Rebellion and the Gunpowder Plot. Prepare yourself for tales of murder, conspiracy, rebellion and treason in a fascinating lecture by renowned local historian and manager of Lancaster Castle, Dr Colin Penny.