Witch Trial Case Files: Real Records from The National Archives

Ten real records from witch-trial history, each on its own case-file sheet with the catalogue reference, what the document says, what it can’t prove and questions to argue over. Plus an evidence matrix, a timeline of the law and a discussion guide.

Who it’s for: Ages 14 to adult.

What’s inside:

- Reading a case file: three habits of good case readers

- Ten case-file sheets, each with the record’s title, date and catalogue reference at The National Archives, what it says, “it shows / it can’t prove” boxes and questions: Joan Guppie’s Bill (1605) and certificate (1606), Agnes Whittenbery’s indictment (1601), Agnes Samsone’s confession (1590), Thomas Paman’s confession (1629), Edmund Robinson’s re-examination (1634), the searchers’ certificate (1634), the Denby statement (1674), the petition for Thomas Harvey (1650) and the support for Anne Piers

- Evidence matrix for all ten files

- The law in brief: a timeline from 1542 to 2008

- Discussion guide with talking points

- Credits, licence & sources

Pages: 16 (including cover and credits). Sizes: A4 (210 × 297 mm) and US Letter (8.5 × 11 in), both PDFs in one zip.

Printing: print at 100% / actual size. Inside pages have light backgrounds and print well in black and white; covers are dark, so start from page 2 to save ink.

Every historical and folklore fact is checked against named sources (The National Archives: Early modern witch trials, accusation and trial; The National Archives: Early modern witch trials, witchcraft and community; UK Parliament, Living Heritage: Witchcraft; University of Edinburgh, Map of Scottish Witchcraft: introduction; and others), listed on the credits page. It’s a history and folklore resource: it records what people believed and what the records say, makes no claim that any charm works, and treats modern Pagan and witchcraft traditions with respect. All drawings and layouts are REALLYBYTE’s own work, starring Useless the eraser as a well-meaning apprentice in a hat that is far too big. No photographs are used.

Licence: personal and single-classroom use. Print as many copies as you need for your own family or your own class. Please don’t resell, re-upload or share the files publicly. For school-wide use, email info@reallybyte.com.

Made by REALLYBYTE, the team behind witchcraft.im. Questions: info@reallybyte.com

This is a digital download: no physical item will be shipped.