Uncover the 1682 Bideford witch trials and the fierce mix of fear, faith, and law in a Devon town.
This nonfiction account examines how a string of mysterious illnesses, accusations, and confessions shook a small market town. It follows the rise of Temperance Lloyd and her supposed allies as neighbors, magistrates, and doctors wrestled with what witchcraft meant in their daily lives. The narrative centers on courtroom testimony, community rumors, and the stark reality of a legal system that treated witchcraft with both gravity and suspicion.
What you’ll encounter
- Detailed scenes from the investigation, including how trials were conducted and the evidence judged.
- Profiles of the women accused and the social pressures that surrounded them.
- A look at how illness, superstition, and religious belief collided in 17th‑century Devon.
- Reflections on how fear can shape justice and how communities remember these events.
Ideal for readers of early modern British history, local Devonshire stories, and true accounts of famous witch trials.{ "genre": "nonfiction", "confidence": 0.85 }