Witchcraft at Cleworth Hall
The picturesque Tudor hall of Cleworth, demolished in 1805, was the old home of the Starkies who were also of Kemnough and Huntroyde. It was a place of consequence, moated about, constructed upon a stout timber frame with gables and bays, and set on an eminence northwards of Garrett.
Nicholas Starkie of Huntroyde had married the heiress, Ann Parr of Cleworth, and their children, John and Ann, with five others, were to become possessed by demoniacal spirits. Ann, aged 9, first drew attention to herself by her glum countenance and fearful twitchings of the body. John, aged 10, began shouting uncontrollably on the way to school and at length fell into "extreame fitts". Their anxious father sought relief from a conjuror called Hartley who came and used certain popish charms and herbs which wrought a temporary improvement; but eighteen months later, when Hartley prepared to move off, young John fell to bleeding and the conjuror was hastily recalled, declaring that "if he had been gone 40 roods, no man could have stopped the bleeding". Mr. Starkie begged Hartley to remain, offering first bed and board and later a pension of 40s. yearly. With rising confidence, the greedy Hartley increased his demands, requesting next "a house and ground"; when refused, he threatened to "make such a shout as never was at Cleworth". That very day the old Tudor hall was turned into a madhouse. Seven members of the household fell into noisy fits and hysterical behaviour. They were Mr. Starkie's two children; three young female wards; Margaret Byrom (33), a poor kinswoman of his wife's; and a serving woman, 30 years old Jane Ashton. What with barking like dogs and howling "like a ring of five bells", they raised "such a strange supernatural and fearful noise and loud whupping as the like was never heard". There was also an occasion when Mr. Starkie visited his father's home at Whalley, accompanied by Hartley, and spent the whole night "tormented sore". Next morning, the conjuror took his patron into the woods, drew a magic circle and invited him to participate in some mysterious ritual.
By now thoroughly weary of the interloper's unwholesome grip on his household, Mr. Starkie set out to consult Dr. John Dee, then Warden of Manchester College. The royal astrologer declined to interfere, though he spoke sharp words to Hartley whose every ill mood sent young John Starkie into repeated attacks of madness. Another factor in this unsavoury affair was Hartley's predilection for "much kissing" which, they said, he used for "breathing the divell into his victims". Eventually, in 1596/7, Hartley was examined before two magistrates who packed him off to Lancaster Assizes. There he was condemned and hanged for witchcraft, largely on the evidence of that magic circle marked out in the woods near Whalley.
Next Meeting
Wednesday 7th December - at the Pagefield Hotel, starting at 7.30pm as usual. This month, our very own Jim Preston will be presenting a talk on Chedworth Roman Villa. He and Ruth recently visited the site and were so impressed that Jim was inspired to put this presentation together. The Villa complex is one of the largest in the country and lies about ten miles southeast of Cheltenham, just off the A40. It was discovered by accident in 1864, by a gamekeeper who found fragments of paving and pottery in what is now referred to as Room 32. Most of the buildings now visible were uncovered over a period of two years at the expense of the then owner, the Earl of Eldon, who also provided the Museum and roofing for some of the structures. The site, in total, features several fine mosaics, two bathhouses, hypocausts, a water-shrine and latrine. Jim has put together a fine presentation for us - and, as it is our last meeting before Christmas, the usual festive refreshment will be provided.
Hope to see you there - B.A.