The witches of Pendle lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I and James I between 1558 and 1625. Early 1600's - Two rival peasant families lived on the slopes of Pendle Hill. They are led by two old women in their 80's called Elizabeth Southern (Demdike) and Anne Whittle (Chattox). The men of their families are dead, leaving them poverty stricken. They beg and find work where they can. Local people are in fear of them believing they have special powers.
Alizon Device, grand-daughter of Demdike, was on her way to Trawden Forest to begin begging. A pedlar refuses to sell her some pins, she curses him for his meanness. Within a few minutes he has a seizure and is paralysed, but eventually recovers.
Alizon Device is hauled before Justice Roger Nowell and confesses to witchcraft. Forced to give an account of her family's activities she tells how Demdike had been asked to heal a sick cow which then died. She also told Nowell that Demdike had cursed Richard Baldwin after which his daughter fell sick and died a year later. Describing her family's feud with the Chattox family she reports how Chattox turned the ale sour at an Inn at Higham and bewitched the landlord's son to death using a clay image.
Nowell orders Demdike, Chattox and her daughter, Anne Redfearn to give evidence. Demdike confesses to evil deeds, claiming that the Devil came to her in the shape of a little boy called Tibb. She had met him in a quarry near Newchurch and he had sucked her blood leaving her 'stark mad'. Nowell sends Demdike, Alizon Device, Chattox and Anne Redfearn to await trial for witchcraft.
Less than a week after the four Pendle women had been sent for trial at Lancaster Castle. several friends and relatives of the Demdike family visited Malkin tower to discuss how they may help the stricken family. This gathering was deemed to be a 'witches coven' and that all who were present must be witches.
An investigator is sent to Malkin Tower. Human bones are unearthed, stolen from graves in Newchurch, and a clay image is also found.
Demdike's daughter Elizabeth Device together with her children James and Jennet were sent by Nowell for questioning to Ashlar House, Fence. James confesses to causing the lingering death of Anne Towneley by slowly crumbling a clay image of her after she accused him of stealing peat for his fire.
Nine year old Jennet names the people who were at the Good Friday Gathering including Alice Nutter, a gentlewoman of Roughlee. Nowell sends the supposed witches to join those at Lancaster Castle. Demdike dies in prison before the trial.
The trial opens at Lancaster Castle. The accused are not provided with a defence lawyer. Nowell produces Jennet as a witness and she gives evidence against her own family and other villagers. Her mother Elizabeth Device is dragged from the court screaming at her daughter and shouting curses at Roger Nowell. The judge decides to test Jennet's evidence by holding an identity parade in court at which Jennet goes up and takes Alice Nutter by the hand, identifying her as one of those present at the Good Friday Gathering.
Alizon Device faints when confronted with the pedlar she is said to have lamed, but when she is revived confesses her guilt.
Chattox weeps as she hears the evidence against her and asks God for forgiveness. She plead's mercy to be shown to her daughter Anne Redfearn. The Judge finds them all guilty.
Chattox, Anne Redfearn, Elizabeth, James and Alizon Device, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, Jane Bulcock and her son John are hanged in Lancaster in front of huge crowds.