Witchy Wednesday, the Witch of Wapping
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Well it's Witchy Wednesday again! Doesn't it fly around quicker and quicker! We seem to be flying fast through Summer towards the Autumn. Not that I mind too much as Autumn is my favourite time but it is scary how quickly this year is galloping along!
Well this week's Witchy Wednesday is about Joan Peterson a poor woman who was accused of Witchcraft and hung at Tyburn in London.
Even though with modern eyes the stories surrounding the accusations against Joan seem ridiculous the outcome was sadly very real. Poor Joan life was ended at the Gallows at Tyburn in London. She condemned to death because of other people's lies, ignorance, prejudices and greed! And even though the stories connected to her maybe far-fetched the outcome was very real! Joan was asked to spill the beans on other Witches which she did not do! In my view protecting the lives of other woman. A very brave lady.
Even though this is a tragic story I think it is good to keep talking and sharing the history of Witchcraft and it's injustices. In doing so we are not only educating ourselves and future generations but also giving voices to Joan and all those sadly accused and executed of witchcraft.
'Every old woman with a wrinkled face, a furred brow, a hairy lip, a gobber tooth, a squint eye, a squeaking voice, or a scolding tongue, having a rugged coat on her back, a skull-cap on her head, a spindle in her hand, and a dog or cat by her side, is not only suspected, but pronounced for a witch.' Taken from Witch Stories by Elizabeth Lynn Lyton 1883.
Video from the recent 'Executions' exhibition at the Museum of London Docklands. Sadly the exhibition ended in April 2023 but you can see highlights of this fascinating exhibition in these links.
Also an interesting article on Tyburn and Tyburn Convent which is a short walk from the memorial.
Wording from the original 1652 pamphlet about Joan Peterson.
The Witch of Wapping or An Exact and Perfect Relation, of the Life and Devilish Practises of Joan Peterson, who dwelt in Spruce Island, near Wapping; Who was condemned for practising Witch-craft, and sentenced to be Hanged at Tyburn, on Munday the 11th of April, 1652. Shewing, How she Bewitch'd a Child, and rock'd the Cradle in the likenesse of a Cat; how she frighted a Baker; and how the Devil often came to suck her, sometimes in the likeness of a Dog, and at other times like a Squirrel. Together, With the Confession of Prudence Lee, who was burnt in Smithfield on Saturday the 10th of this instant for the murthering her Husband; and her Admonition and Counsel to all her Sex in general.
Tyburn Gallows.
The tree or triple tree was a form of gallows, consisting of a horizontal wooden triangle supported by three legs (an arrangement known as a "three-legged mare" or "three-legged stool"). Multiple criminals could be hanged at once, and so the gallows were used for mass executions, such as that on 23 June 1649 when 24 prisoners (23 men and 1 woman) were hanged simultaneously, having been conveyed there in eight carts.
Information from Wikipedia.
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| Site of Tyburn today near to Marble Arch. The site has three trees representing the three posts of the gallows and a plaque in the centre of the ground. |
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| Old map showing Tyburn Gallows in London |
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| Old painting showing Tyburn Gallows. It was also known as the Tyburn Tree or the Triple Tree. |
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| Copy of the original pamphlet |
Links to interesting articles on The Witch of Wapping including a beautiful song called 'Witches' by Cunning Folk which was based on the Witch of Wapping and an interesting 1980's play based on Joan.
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Some folklore stories and articles about History can be quite scary and disturbing and may have some adult content. So I would always advise visiting, reading and viewing any links before showing or reading to younger children
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