Local magistrates, conducted ruthless witch-hunts in 1612 in the hope that they would find favour with King James who lived in fear of Catholic rebellion having survived the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. One of these hunts resulted in the arresting of Alizon Device in Pendle, Lancashire. The crime she was accused of was setting a curse on a pedlar and paralysing him. She confessed, and incriminated two other women, named Demdike and Chattox.

Investigations at Demdike's home, Malkin Tower, revealed human bones and clay figures of people who had mysteriously died in recent years. The magistrate continued their witch-hunt arresting, eleven women in total and then imprisoned at Lancaster Castle where on 17th August 1612 ten of them were tried and publicly hanged three days later. Alizon Device, Elizabeth Device, James Device, Anne Whittle, alias Chattox, Anne Redferne, Alice Nutter, Katherine Hewitt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock & Isobel Robey were the ten hanged at Lancaster gaol.

Elizabeth Southerns, alias Demdike, died in Lancaster Gaol awaiting trial, but was nevertheless considered to be a witch on the basis of evidence already gathered. Jennet Preston, who lived just over the Lancashire border, was tried in Yorkshire and hanged at York in 1612. Finally, Margaret Pearson was found guilty of witchcraft at Lancaster, but not murder, and received a sentence of one years imprisonment.

In their mass these people made up the famous thirteen Pendle Witches. The Pendle Witches were accused of selling their souls to evil spirits or devils in return for the power to kill or injure who ever they pleased. The usual method of murder, described in Demdike's confession to magistrates, was to make an ethigy of the intended victim, known as a 'picture of clay'. The image was then crumbled or burned over a period of time, causing the victim to fall ill and slowly die.

The family at the centre of the witchcraft allegations and the ring leaders of the Pendle Witches: Alizon Device, James Device, Elizabeth Device and Demdike lived at Malkin Tower. Demdike, who was in her eighties, was the head of the family and was believed to be one of the most powerful witches in Britain. It is here that bones and other vital evidence was found to incriminate the Device family. Magistrates were baffled that the witches were so eager to incriminate each other when questioned, but it then came to light that Demdike had once been a close friend of Chattox, but they fell out and then feuded bitterly. It is believed that this is why the two families incriminated each other. In addition to this when Demdike died in gaol, Chattox changed here story, claiming Demdike was responsible for inticing her into witchcraft.

The Pendle Witches are said to haunt the buildings, landscapes and historic villages in the shadow of Pendle Hill such as Newchurch, home of St. Mary's Church, from where Demdike was thought to have stolen human bones. A sinister feeling and anger is often felt by visitors and many local refuse to discuss the goings on for fear of their own safety.

Malkin Tower Farm - At the rear of Malkin Tower Farm there are some ruins of an older building, and a part of it which is still standing as been incorporated into the stone wall, this is widely believed to be where Malkin Tower once stood. Demdikes home is where the great assembly of witches is said to of took place on Good Friday 1612.

Roughlee Hall - It is thought that this is where Alice Nutter once lived; it was built in 1536 and was once a single large dwelling, it as now been divided into 5 cottages.

Moss Head Farm - This site is where the dwelling of John Bulcock and his mother Jane used to stand.

Ashlar House - This is where Demdike, Chattox and her daughter Anne Redferne were questioned on the 2nd April on suspicion of withcraft.

Tynedale Farm - This building was probably constructed around 1750, though there was a house before this which was from a far earlier time. This is said to used as a meeting place for the coven of witches. Tynedale Farm is still owned by the Nutter family but has been the described as the root of witchcraft and murder along with the Lower Well Head Farm close by. The farm itself was built in 1750 even though there was a house on the property even earlier. As the tale is explained, the Pendle Witches or Lancashire Witches and their coven used this farm for many of the meetings. These witches were believed to have been responsible for the murder of 17 people by the way of witchcraft in the area around the Forest of Pendle.

Today, many have felt and heard all kinds of strange noises and apparitions throughout the farm and the surrounding area. A monk has been seen outside the farm and a hooded figure kneeling by the road just outside the perimeter of the farm has been seen by visitors.

The story about these witches whether true or not has been passed down as historical fact in Lancashire. If you would like to visit be sure that you do not come on any Wiccan festival or Sabbat evening, you may encounter more than you bargain for.

Lower Wellhead Farm - It is thought that the farm was built in the 1500's. It is another place thought to of been used by the Pendle witches.

Now the Pendle Witches are said to haunt building and landscapes in and around Pendle Hill, the most affected areas seem to be Tynedale Farm and Lower Wellhead Farm. It is said a feeling of anger and evil is felt by people and strange sounds are heard also locals are reluctant to talk about the witches as they fear what may happen.