An ex-MP has written a book about a witchcraft case which bitterly divided a community in Huddersfield.

David Hinchliffe represented Wakefield for Labour from 1987 to 2005 and was Chair of the Health Select Committee in the House of Commons. He was a social worker and then a lecturer in social work at the former Huddersfield Technical College before he was elected.

The 75-year-old lives at Hade Edge and his constituency included Denby Dale. He became fascinated with a witchcraft case that happened in Denby in 1674 which he stumbled across by chance.

David has now fully researched the case and published the book called A Most Gross and Groundless Prosecution: The Denby Witchcraft Case of 1674 to coincide with its 350th anniversary.

He said: “I came across this case while researching my Hinchliffe family history. I have not proved a direct family link to the accused but my Hinchliffe ancestors were living on the other side of the Dearne Valley in Cumberworth in the late 1700s.

“The book examines the backgrounds of all those involved and original documentation relating to the case, including a remarkable petition of over 50 local people drawn up in support of the accused women.

“Happening not long after the restoration of the monarchy, the book outlines the influence on the case of the recent English Civil Wars and growing religious dissent in the local area.”

 

 

The story began in late August 1674 in the village of Denby and the witchcraft allegations tore the local community apart.

A 16-year-old girl from Clayton West called Mary Moor swore before magistrates that she had overheard a Denby couple, Joseph and Susannah Hinchliffe and their married daughter, Anne Shillitto, discussing using evil powers to harm people.

Mary gave details of how they had supposedly caused illness in both people and animals and claimed that Susannah had attempted to kill a local youth close to the Quaker settlement at High Flatts near Denby.

A petition of more than 50 prominent local people was drawn up in support of Susannah and Anne but, despite this, the two women were bound over to appear at the York Assizes the following spring when, if found guilty, they faced the death penalty.

With the allegations occurring not long after the English Civil Wars and the restoration of the monarchy, the petition may have been counter-productive as it was signed by many local residents who had fought in, or supported, the Parliamentary Army and were religious dissenters, including early Quakers.

By contrast, the magistrates dealing with the case all had Royalist backgrounds and Catholic sympathies.

The book can be ordered directly from the publisher via https://www.llpshop.co.uk/witchcraft-c-34/a-most-gross-and-groundless-prosecution-p-227 or from local bookshops at £12.95

David has played and followed rugby league all his life so royalties from the book will go to the Rugby League Benevolent Fund. Find out more about the fund at https://www.rugbyleaguecares.org/rugby-league-benevolent-fund/

Written by ANDY HIRST who runs his own Yorkshire freelance journalism agency AH! PR (https://ah-pr.com/) specialising in press releases, blogging, website content and copywriting.

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