The Awkward Squad in 16th century Lion Street [Rye, Sussex] Many years ago, in the days when dogs and pigs roamed the streets of Rye, and makeshift privies leaned up against houses, a family of butchers and troublemakers named Bennett lived in the house now occupied by the Tourist Information Centre1 in Lion Street. Three […]

Poor, old and ugly? This typical depiction of the English witch in 16th and 17th century pamphlets is a stereotype which does not correspond with the much more varied characteristics of the women who were accused of witchcraft in court cases of the period. Yet it still shapes our ideas today, because very little of […]