I joined Friday Fictioneers late in 2012 so missed this photo the first time round. Sorry to hear Rochelle isn’t well, here’s to a speedy recovery. Thanks for all her hard work and support since taking over the FF mantle from Madison Woods
Copyright Madison Woods
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
A Little Superstition Goes A Long Way
‘What do we do ma?’’ John’s voice trembled.
Recognising her son’s fear, Alice Grey reached for his hand.
‘Same as always John, we stick together. Speak to nobody.’
They walked along the hedgerows, keeping out of sight in case they were followed. The jailer had taken John’s boots and the rough track made his feet bleed. Alice picked leaves, wrapped them in a strip torn from her skirt and bound his feet.
‘How’d you know what to pick ma?’
‘Mother Demdike showed me. She knew all the remedies.’
‘Was she hanged today?’
No, she died before being sentenced.’
‘Lucky beggar.’
check out all the other stories here.
By way of explanation – Alice Grey was the only women found not guilty of witchcraft at the trial at Lancaster Prison in 1612. All the other women from the Pendle area of Lancashire, who were tried, were hanged.
One Yorkshire woman accused of witchcraft was tried, found guilty and hanged at York.
40again's Blog 
What horrors these women must have gone through. Well crafted piece.
LikeLike
Thank you! I think it must have been a terrible time and impossible to defend an accusation like this
LikeLike
Ah a trip down memory lane. I grew up with the history of the Pendle Witches . Nicely done Dee.
LikeLike
Thanks Sandra. I grew up in Lancashire, so the history of the area was well taught in our local schools and many stories were told of the so called witches – not sure where they would put it in today’s curriculum!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was a Lancashire lass too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hurray!! Good to know ☺️
LikeLike
How many healers were judged as witches just because they were woman? It boggles the mind. Nice tale.
Tracey
LikeLike
Thank you Tracey, the same thing happened in Salem at about the same time I think. Dreadful to think that ignorance and superstition caused the death of so many women, in some parts of the world it still happens.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good story, worked well without the post script.
Which was also interesting.
I wonder if your title refers to the religious philosophy driving these, and many similar, trials?
LikeLike
Yes, I think superstition and ignorance have been the cause of many deaths, and still are in some parts of the world. When you have the church and state against you, what hope for the common folk? Thank you for reading, pleased you liked the story.
LikeLike
Eerily reminiscent of Salem. Nice work.
LikeLike
Thank you, pleased you liked it
LikeLike
How lucky we are to live in this day and age.
LikeLike
Thanks Dawn
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s a theory that says Christianity was essentially a misogynistic plot to overthrow the matriarchs of Europe. That may be overstating the case, but two million innocents died just the same.
LikeLike
Persecution of witches – good story taken from fact.
LikeLike
Thanks Sally
LikeLike
Excellent story, and a reminder of a cruel past (and if some people had the power, presence and futre). Typical how the meaning of ‘superstition’ is turned upside down by those in power.
LikeLike
Thank you, a lot of powerful people are still using superstition to further their own ends I feel
LikeLiked by 1 person
I also started writing about the Pendle Witches this week, but it ended up being more about the hill itself! Lovely, sad story x
LikeLike
Thank you Sarah, good to know we were on the same wavelength!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So many good women died needless deaths and so much wisdom died with them. Nice take on the prompt.
LikeLike
Yes, that is so true. Thank you for reading
LikeLike
Dear Dee,
I love a good historical fiction. Superstition at that time certainly went a long way, from England to the colonies and back again. Well done.
Thank you for the good wishes.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle
It certainly did. Pleased you liked it and hope you are feeling a lot better.
Take care
Dee
LikeLike
Poignant story. What tragedies have occurred because of ignorance and fear. Well told.
LikeLike
Thank you Margaret. In some parts of the world they are still happening, and precious little is done to stop them.
LikeLike
Ignorance, ignorance. So many wrongs done in the name of ‘Justice”. excellent story.
LikeLike
Thank you. Lovely to hear from you and pleased you liked the story.
LikeLike
Few words narrated it all.
Pity that superstition still holds strong in some parts.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading, nice to hear from you.
LikeLike
Great story, Dee! Through what horrors those women suffered, unimaginable.
LikeLike
Thank you Loré.
Unimaginable horrors indeed, although each generation seems to have its own atrocities, perhaps sadly, we will never learn
LikeLiked by 1 person