The story of Jane Southworth, Ellen Bierley and Jennet Bierley, the so-called Samlesbury witches, has everything – conspiracy theory, alleged child cannibalism, blood-sucking witches, anti-Jesuit propaganda – you name it, it was all going on during the Samlesbury witch trial! Added to which, in contrast with the Pendle witches, it is proving possible to identify on the ground most of the places associated with the story along with the present location of the homes of both the ‘witches’ and those who accused them. Quite a lot of information is also coming to light regarding Christopher Southworth, the Seminary priest/Jesuit (and thereby hangs a tale!) supposedly responsible for accusing Jane, Ellen and Jennet of witchcraft. I am rapidly becoming obsessed with Christopher!
I am also quite eager to address the vexed question of the number of those accused at the trial – just how many were actually accused of witchcraft in Samlesbury? Some ‘experts’ give a long list. I don’t agree with them and am as sure as I can be that there were only three Samlesbury witches – Jane Southworth, Ellen Bierley and Jennet Bierley.
The dungeon in the so-called 'witches tower' in Lancaster Castle
Although Jane, Ellen and Jennet were found innocent, and did not, therefore, suffer the ultimate penalty of swinging by the neck at Tiburn on Lancaster Moor, we should not underestimate the months of suffering they must have endured in Lancaster Castle in the less than tender care of the horrible Thomas Covell while awaiting trial. Let’s remember it is their anniversary too. 
