The Last Woman Sentenced to Die for Witchcraft in England

Jane Wenham was the last person condemned to death for witchcraft in England. She was tried in 1712, convicted and sentenced to hang. The Crown reprieved her. The community that had accused her never accepted it. They believed she had escaped justice. She was driven from her home. She spent the rest of her life in hiding, moving from place to place, sheltered by strangers who took pity on her. She outlived every single person who had accused her. Every one. The last witchcraft law in England was not repealed until 1736. Jane Wenham died peacefully in 1730. She was the last.

Interesting Fact The judge who presided over her trial privately believed she was innocent. He was so disturbed by the verdict he personally petitioned the Crown for her reprieve. The jury convicted her anyway. The crime that started the case was that she had been seen running. That was the evidence.

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