In “The Last Witches of England," John Callow breaks down the myths surrounding the Bideford Trial of 1682, and the lives of those involved. But witch trials don't manifest spontaneously. As Callow explains: “While attempting to locate triggers…it is safest to avoid…monocausal explanations...the desire to activate the persecution of witches as a control mechanism…is a very specific response to economic and social pressures.” But Bideford was no backwater town. It was a cosmopolitan trade center. The growing social divide with Congregationalists vs Angelican, the rich and poor tightly packed together and a dramatic increase in population stretching the city's resources.

The first accused, Temperance Lloyd was married with 3 children before her family was broken up by plague. Busting long-held myths, the author stresses that she was not born a pauper. She was also only in her 40s or early 50s, despite what various sources have stated. Second, Susanna Edwards was born illegitimate but was able to marry respectably and had 6 children. But the plague too carried her family off. She was left without a source of income. Third, Mary Trembles did come from a poor family, but she wasn’t elderly either. With the death of her father, Mary couldn’t find work or marry, and formed a street alliance with Susanna Edwards to survive. But all three never lived together in a supposed coven.

Of course, Callow points to the obvious prejudices, but these women had no run ins with the law prior to being accused as witches and were accused by both men and women. They weren't the only vulnerable women either. In fact, the "bewitched" Grace Thomas, “was just a marginal a woman" being an invalid, unmarried, dependent, and a non-Anglican. Overall, we come to understand how the “atmosphere for accusation” is created and I’m glad Callow explored it! ( )