In the late 16th century, Cleworth Hall, located near Leigh in Lancashire, became the center of a chilling tale involving witchcraft, possession, and desperate attempts at healing. This story begins with John Parr, whose death left his daughter, Ann, as the sole heiress of the estate.
Ann, previously married to Thurston Barton, wed Nicholas Starkie in 1578, and the couple moved into Cleworth Hall, eager to start a family.
Tragically, their first four children died in infancy, but they were eventually blessed with two surviving offspring: a son named John and a daughter named Ann. However, in 1595, both children began to suffer from mysterious convulsions. Nicholas Starkie, desperate to save his children, spent an astonishing £200 on medical consultations, but no cure was found. In his despair, he became convinced that his children were possessed by evil spirits.
Seeking help, Starkie turned to a local Catholic priest, who claimed he lacked the necessary texts for an exorcism. Instead, Starkie sought the assistance of a cunning-man, or “conjuror,” named Edmund Hartley. In the Elizabethan era, conjurors were believed to have the ability to summon spirits and perform magical feats. Hartley, who was engaged for £2 a year, employed various charms and herbs to manage the children’s fits.
However, after 18 months, Hartley requested a pay raise, which Starkie refused. This refusal led to a worsening of the children’s condition, and soon, other members of the household began to exhibit signs of possession. Three girls living in the Starkie home, along with Jane Ashton, a housemaid, and Margaret Byrom, a visiting relative, all fell victim to the same affliction. The household was thrown into chaos as the possessed individuals screamed, blasphemed, and exhibited bizarre behaviors. Young John Starkie even began delivering lengthy sermons about divine wrath.
Convinced that Hartley was the source of this turmoil, Starkie sought the counsel of Dr. John Dee, a renowned mathematician and occultist. Dee advised Starkie to consult with “godly preachers” and suggested a public or private fast. He also admonished Hartley for his dubious practices. In a fit of anger, Starkie had Hartley arrested and brought before magistrates, who initially found no legal grounds for a conviction. However, Starkie recalled a visit to a small wood where Hartley had allegedly performed a magical ritual, which ultimately led to Hartley’s conviction for witchcraft.
In March 1597, Hartley was sentenced to death. In a twist of fate, the rope broke during his execution, leading him to confess his supposed guilt. A second rope was used, and he was successfully hanged. Following this, two Puritan ministers, John Darrel and George More, visited Cleworth Hall to witness the chaos firsthand. They organized a day of prayer and fasting, during which the possessed individuals reportedly saw their demons leave their bodies, resulting in physical manifestations like bleeding from the nose and mouth.
The Starkie household eventually found relief from the torment, but Jane Ashton’s fate took a darker turn. She was sent to live with a Catholic uncle and became a spectacle, howling and barking as a warning against Catholicism. This haunting episode in Lancashire’s history serves as a reminder of the fears and superstitions that gripped society during the Elizabethan era, illustrating the lengths to which people would go in their quest for understanding and healing in a world filled with uncertainty.
