Lancaster castle

Today I went to Lancaster castle, some of the castle is still off-limits to tourists - because right up until March 2011 it was also a 'Category C' Prison housing over 200 prisoners. Lancaster Castle consists of many historic buildings encompassing the 12th Century Norman Keep, the 14th Century Witches' Tower and the 15th Century Gatehouse. The Castle is still a working court, famous trials include the famous Lancashire Witches trial in 1612. In March 1612, young Alison Device was walking the road to Colne begging. She asked a pedler, John Law, of Halifax to open his pack, and when he refused, cursed him. Wherupon he collapsed with a stroke and was carried, half-paralysed, to a local hostelry, claiming he was bewitched. His son, Abraham Law, sought out Alison, and brought her to his father's bedside. She freely confessed she had cursed him, and apologised for doing him harm. Of the 20 people accused one died in prison, 8 were acquitted and 11 were found guilty. Of those 10 were hanged. One person was treated leniently and was only sentenced to a term in the stocks.
Pendle witch trials is one of the most famous and dramatic events to take place in Lancashire occured almost 400 years ago ,and has since formed the basis of novels, and radio and television programmes. The Pendle Witches lived during the reigns of Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603) and James I (1603 - 1625). As a result of King James I's firm belief in the existance of witchcraft, an Act was passed which imposed the death penalty "for making a covenant etc.