Yorkshire witch Mary Bateman: a promising start to a career and an inglorious sunset (6 photos)

Does witchcraft really exist? No. But if you furnish process with due creativity, add a little lie, fill in the fog and season the resulting dish with hope and fear, then it will do for itself.





Mary Harker came into this world in 1768. The girl was born in the village of Asenby. What is usual for that time, started working early maid. But she turned out to be dishonest, and the owners expelled her in disgrace. Mary.



Mary

In 1782, a young maid married a craftsman. Spouse John Bateman made the wheels. The couple gave birth to four children. But even the troubles of a mother of many children did not prevent the woman from steal periodically. As a result, the family had to move constantly.

As a result, the woman seemed to calm down, opened a small sewing workshop in Leeds. But rumors spread around the area that the craftswoman not only sews but patches shabby fabric. Mary available others - high matter.

Bateman was frequented by two elderly Kitchin sisters, along with elderly mother who lived above the workshop. And Mary pretty soon sent them personally to study the notorious matters, poisoning them with "magic" tinctures. The uncomplicated property of the deceased was appropriated by the seamstress.

For the public, Mary made up tales about patronesses, supplying her with special ingredients and revealing secrets of wisdom. First it was a certain Mrs. Moore, then the mysterious Mrs Blythe.

Administrator Witch



Despite the lack of education, the woman had worldly grasp and innate wisdom. Once the sphere of influence is or another area began to weaken, she connected new methods influence, warmed up rumors, replenished the list of services with new ones.



Around 1806, rumors of a magical Mary's hen. The laying hen laid eggs, on the shell of which The inscription "Jesus is coming" appeared. The people poured in a stream, and the eggs dispersed among the people suffering from a miracle like hot cakes. Local the doctor spied how a woman makes "magic eggs" - with the help of vinegar, which etched the shell at the site of the inscription. But no the fraudster did not suffer punishment and continued her “creativity”.

Corruption of Perigault



Rumors of a powerful healer reached a certain William Perigault. His wife Rebecca suffered from a nervous breakdown and the couple turned to Bateman.

The deceiver immediately began to "treat". For salvation from damage, Mary began to demand valuable things from Perigault - porcelain, cutlery, silver. Then she tied it in golden handkerchiefs coins, placed them in the corners of the bed, and told her not to touch her for a year and a half. nodules.

Realizing that the spouses have something to warm their hands with, the woman decided speed up the process and made a "special" pudding, stuffing it from the heart homemade powders. Ordered not to give to anyone, and if it becomes bad, do not call the doctor: he will not help, the removal of damage will stall. And you have to start all over again.

Shortly after the start of the reception, Rebecca passed away. Broken grief-stricken, the widower continued to listen to the "healer" and follow her instructions. TO By that time the money had almost run out. And the man decided to open handkerchiefs that remained in the corners of the bed. Instead of gold inside bags revealed small copper coins, carefully wrapped in dried cabbage leaves, so that it was impossible to determine by touch face value

The unfortunate man opened his eyes. He did not listen to the babble about "bags opened too early" and brought the constable. During the investigation it turned out that there were no educated influential patronesses was. As well as miracles: she frankly fooled the people. And sent to the other world unfortunate Rebecca, generously seasoning the pudding and tinctures with poison.



Court finds homegrown witch guilty of deceit theft, poisoning. The woman pleaded not guilty. which did not affect sentence - hanging followed by quartering. For the execution of the former favorite, a crowd of more than 5 thousand people gathered. Some believed that the witch's power would allow Mary to get out. But hope is not justified. The sentence was carried out.

By the way, the authorities used the practice of the deceased and sold strips of "witch" skin for everyone, 3 pensa for a piece. The skeletal remains of the last Yorkshire witch were used in anatomical classes. And then transferred to the Leeds Museum, part of the exposition which they remain to this day.