Lancashire was considered a particular problem - remote enough for Catholics to worship in secret plus suspected pockets of witchcraft, although healers in poor rural areas were often thought of as wise women or witches. The Pendle witch trials of 1612 are noteworthy as twelve ‘witches’ were seized for trial, with ten convicted and hanged.
Stacey Halls reimagines the events around the trials, using real characters from the time. Fleetwood Shuttleworth is a young noblewoman who is pregnant once more; her husband, Richard, eager for an heir after several miscarriages. Fleetwood is a troubled woman – she suffers from nightmares and is the product of a childhood tainted with loneliness and abuse.
When she discovers a doctor’s letter to her husband, Fleetwood learns that giving birth is likely to kill her. A chance meeting with the healer and midwife, Alice Grey, offers Fleetwood both friendship and hope. As Alice’s remedies dramatically improve her health, Fleetwood begins to imagine that she might just survive to be a mother.
But this hope begins to fade when Alice is named as a witch and a warrant is put out for her arrest. If Fleetwood is to survive, she must somehow prove the innocence of her friend.
The Familiars is a gripping read, evocatively describing an era of suspicion and terror, and how superstition can fester through the illiteracy of ordinary folk. I was completely caught up in Fleetwood’s story – even though she is comfortable and well-cared for, she lives in constant fear, a potent reminder of the powerlessness of women at the time. Somehow Fleetwood manages to fight back and the story moves to a gripping ending, with a race against the clock to save both Alice and herself.
I might not have picked this book up as the thought of witch-hunts and cruel punishments puts shivers down my spine. But this is a terrific novel and I can’t wait to see what Stacey Halls writes next.
Posted by JAM
Catalogue link: The Familiars
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