The story of the Lancashire witches took place in a 17 century forest close to Manchester. The locals believed that the forest was home to sinister witches, and rumours circulated that dark rituals and orgies were held there. Roger Nowel, a magistrate decided to solve the problem himself, seizing two elderly ladies who lived in poverty followed by a succession of others. They were forced to give confessions to the vague crimes they were accused of, and were sent to Lancaster Castle.
The summer assizes of 1612 saw the prisoners found guilty, and were hung. This shocking tale reflects the cruelty that was still happening at a time when education and literature were becoming more widespread.