Synopsis/Details
Set during a time of religious persecution against Roman Catholics and the rise of the Puritan movement, Pendle is inspired by the real life witch-trials held in Lancaster Crown Court in 1612 and became the most calamitous witch-trial in English history. The story centers on the Device family, a poor family lead by the either revered or feared Mother Demdike, a “cunning woman” who became the epicenter of the trial, lead by the corrupt justice of the peace, Roger Nowell, who arrests the supposed witches to impress the influential Puritan church and the new king, James I.
The main narrative is built around two sisters, Alison, the eldest granddaughter of Mother Demdike, a local “cunning woman”, Alison triggers the chain of events which lead to the eventual trial as she, while in a state of trance, curses a peddler who refuses to serve her. It is from here that an investigation is started lead by Roger Nowell, the series antagonist. As he doesn’t believe in witchcraft Nowell looks for an alternative to bring charges against the Device family. He see’s Jennet Device as this alternative. Jennet is the bastard daughter of Elizabeth Device, Demdike’s only daughter. Jennet is treated as the runt of the family, she is abused by her mother and brother, James, while Alison and Demdike, the only people who ever showed her affection never have time for her. Nowell learns how to manipulate Jennet as he tries to and turn her against her own family.
