Daughter of Pendle

Jennet's story is close to my heart. It is one I grew up with. But my own fascination with Jennet Device does not end in 1612. Twenty years later, she was among those again accused of witchcraft, and held in prison for nearly four years. The story of the Pendle Witches has been told before, and there are also many excellent books that try to establish the true facts of the case. The records which exist, however, are all based upon the point of view of the accusers, and never the accused. The events of 1634 happened, and were found at last to be the result of a thirteen year old boy who told lies for his own reasons, under the influence of his greedy father and uncle. That he was eventually revealed as a liar demonstrates that justice may have moved on a little. Jennet and her family were caught up in confusing times, when everyone had reasons to believe - and swear to - whatever they chose. Sadly, justice depended upon the consequences for political careers, and sometimes even simpler motives. Perhaps Jennet's main legacy is to warn us against prejudice and bad judicial practice.