Florence Newton: The Witch of Youghal
Every year on blogstonishing, I make the last post (the Halloween post) a special pick that’s close to my heart. Something I often spend most of the year saving up for all of you. And today, it’s something a little bit witchy and a whole lot of strong…the tale of Florence Newton. Florence Newton, before 1661, led a largely uneventful yet difficult life. Not much is known of her life before 1661 but by this time in her life, she was an older woman and a known beggar in the town of Youghal. All that changed in 1661, when she became embroiled in one of the most infamous witchcraft trials in history.
Let’s rewind a bit before diving back into Florence’s story. Before the Tudor conquest of Ireland in the 1540s, Ireland was a place steeped deeply in folklore, magic, and wise women. Certain women held wisdom and knowledge of herbs and healing that the folk of the village respected. Other women with the same knowledge may have been a bit afeared in some places, but they were often left alone to their own devices.
However, the Tudor conquest of Ireland began to change that reverence to repulsion. In fact, that respect and fear blended together into the witch hunt that would, eventually, claim over 50,000 lives. Witchcraft was front-and-center of many people’s minds during this time, especially those under or near English rule, that near hysteria brewed in almost any town.
In 1660, Florence Newton, 65 at the time, arrived at the home of wealthy gentleman John Pyne. Formerly, Florence was a herbalist and it was known she had certain wisdom under her cap. However, she had grown destitute and now often had to beg, especially in the winter. She decided on John Pyne’s house likely because he was a wealthy gentleman known in town.
Mary Logdon, the Pyne housekeep, answered the door. Both were familiar with each other, but still, Mary denied Florence her request for food. Turned away, Florence left frustrated and still hungry.
A week later, when Mary was out getting water for the household she claimed Florence rushed towards her, seeming to come out of nowhere, and kissed her violently on the mouth and asked for her friendship. Stunned, Mary didn’t seem to give her an answer and traveled back to the Pyne household rattled.
Then, just a few days after that Mary was in bed when she claimed that a ghostly Florence, accompanied by the Devil, appeared to her at her bedside. They promised Mary anything her heart desired in return for her undying loyalty to the Devil. Mary, the good religious girl she was, said she immediately dismissed them and protested her fealty to God. But, as the days wore on Mary reported strange abuses, like small stones hitting her. She became afflicted by fits where she grew so strong that multiple grown men couldn't hold her or calm her. Then, as an escalation, she began to vomit violent items like pins, needles, and horsenails.
Naturally, Mary claimed that Florence, her witchcraft, and the devil were to blame for her hellish experience. Besides the throwing up and the feeling of stones being thrown, some of these symptoms may seem similar to epilepsy. Which, during the time, would be terrifying and largely unexplainable.
Convinced by Mary's story and the testimonies of those around her, the Youghal mayor, Mr. Myre, decided to imprison Florence to protect Mary and Youghal at large. On March 24th, 1661 Florence was located and imprisoned in Clock Gate Tower. She was then submitted to tests to prove she was a witch. If you're familiar with witch trials, you'll know many of these were quite awful. Some of the torture she suffered included having her hands pierced with a lance and driving a sharp awl into the stool she was forced to sit upon. Florence suffered torture and eventually confessed to having a familiar: a greyhound who often visited her in her cell.
A month went on with intermittent torture, and a man named David Jones began to guard Florence's cell. Jones knew that an easy, non-torturous witchcraft test was to have the supposed witch say the Our Father in full without mistakes or stumbling. According to Jones, Florence was never able to get through the full prayer without pauses or stumbles. Florence said that her age and consistent torture were wreaking havoc on her mind. But, relieved at the chance to prove herself without torture she thanked Jones and even kissed his hands. A day later, Jones said he began to have arm pains that radiated all the way to his heart. He blamed Florence's kiss for his pain. He died two weeks later. But, sustained pain to the heart may also be an indication of a heart attack.
Six months later, on September 11th, 1661, Florence was finally brought to trial. She was charged with using witchcraft on Mary Longdon and the death of David Jones. She pleaded not guilty to both. During her imprisonment and trial, rumors began to swirl throughout Youghal. Several claimed she was responsible for three children's deaths, all of whom she had kissed at one point or another. In an act of desperation and self-preservation, Florence named two other women as witches in hopes to save herself (or at least receiving a sentence other than death). She would later recant, obviously feeling guilty and not wanting to submit others to the torture she had suffered.
Mayor Myre decreed that Florence would go through a water test. Florence would be brought out in a boat, her right foot would be bound to her left hand (and vice versa) and thrown into the sea. If she died, her innocence was proven. If she floated, she was a witch and would be put to death. To avoid the test, Florence confessed but said she had never bewitched Mary and didn't solicit the devil. She even fell on her knees and begged God to forgive her.
She was ignored.
Many people in the community came out to speak against Florence. No one lent a word of support and Florence was not able to defend herself during the trial.
But no test was ever given. Why? She died during the trial. Transcripts never revealed a verdict and we aren't sure of her cause of death. She may have been hanged or perhaps just died of ill health after months of torture and imprisonment.
According to the Irish Legal News, “With no record of the verdict, it has long been assumed that Florence was found guilty and executed under an Elizabethan Statute known as the 1586 Irish Witchcraft Act.” But, many who have studied the transcripts and Florence's tragic tale believe that she likely succumbed to her awful physical and mental condition suffered before and throughout her trial.
While there are many tales of witch trials with strong testimonies, fierce women, and, in some cases, triumph…there are just as many tales that are similar to Florence’s. Women who society didn’t have a place for, women who were easy to hate, and women who were without resources were often at the mercy of the hysteria of witch trials. Although I, like many of you, am fascinated with wise women, folklore, and witchcraft I think it is important to humanize and acknowledge cases like Florence.
Today, when I think of witchcraft, I’ll be reminded of Florence’s determination and her pleading with the community she thought would protect her.
This image is by Flickr user Joshua Zader Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)