Witchcraft

The following source list was originally available only on paper in one of the West Yorkshire Archive Service offices. It may have been compiled many years ago and could be out of date. It was designed to act as a signpost to records of interest on a particular historical subject, but may relate only to one West Yorkshire district, or be an incomplete list of sources available.

1450 to 1800

Less than 1,000 hearings in England led to execution of individuals accused of Witchcraft in 4 courts:

1. Quarter Sessions Folder 4 - recognisances

9 December 1711 Margaret Whiteley was suspected of using witchcraft. She and her husband Joseph were being held in the house of correction, and there are 3 recognisances binding witnesses to appear to give evidence.

2. Ecclesiastical Courts - Borthwick Institute defamation cases include witchcraft.

3. Gaol Delivery

4. Assize Courts (mainly held at The National Archives). Little material for 15th and 16th centuries. Best evidence is for 1640s onwards with around 20 cases for Yorkshire.

Other sources: Oliver Heywood diaries (published) Ralph Thoresby diaries (Yorkshire Archaeological Society, also published) Fairfax family document of 1621 (see Dr. J Sharpe, University of York)

Description	Dates	Reference	Repository
Examinations of three individuals following a disturbance centering on a woman who turned herself into two grey cats.	1737	QS1/76/2	WYAS: Wakefield
Margaret Whiteley suspected of using witchcraft. She and her husband Joseph were being held in the House of Correction, and there are 3 recognisances binding witnesses to appear to give evidence.	9 Dec 1711	QS1/51/2folder 4	WYAS: Wakefield
Order regarding the increased allowance payable to women acquitted of witchcraft.	1721	QS1/60/4	WYAS: Wakefield
Petition of man called a wizard but vouched for by his neighbours.	1723	QS1/62/10	WYAS: Wakefield
Whites Directory vol.1 pages 503-504.	1837	-	WYAS: Wakefield

Wakefield Balne Lane Local Studies Library also hold the following:

'Witchcraft in Yorkshire' by Patricia Crowther (Dalesman: 1973)
'Witchcraft in 17th Century Yorkshire' by J A Sharpe (Borthwick: 1992)