Newchurch in Pendle
Encyclopedia
Newchurch in Pendle is a village in Lancashire
adjacent to Barley
, at the foot of Pendle Hill
. Famous for the Demdike family of Pendle witches
who lived there in the 17th century. Newchurch used to be called 'Goldshaw Booth' and later 'Newchurch in Pendle Forest', however this was shortened to 'Newchurch in Pendle'. The civil parish
is still named Goldshaw Booth.
St Mary's Church
at the centre of the village is steeped in history. It's not that easy to see from the road as it's on the downward side of a steep hill with a row of houses at the top and the local primary school (St Mary's Church of England School) to the side. There was a chapel of ease
on this site in 1250 and a later chapel was dedicated in 1544. The tower, although restored, is the only remaining part of that building. The current church was probably built in the 17th century, it was only completed in 1740. The "eye of God" is built into the west side of the tower. To the east of the porch, up against the south wall, is the grave of a member of the Nutter family (carved with a skull & crossbones). Local legend has it that it's the last resting place of Alice Nutter, one of the famous Pendle witches. However, executed witches were not normally buried in consecrated ground, and the skull and crossbones is a common memento mori
device used to remind onlookers of their own mortality. So it can be fairly confidently asserted that the legend is in fact a myth. Each year since 1949 the ancient ceremony of rushbearing
is commemorated in August. There is a procession around the village and the new Rushbearing Queen is crowned followed by a service of thanksgiving in the church.
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
adjacent to Barley
Barley, Lancashire
Barley is a village in the borough of Pendle, in Lancashire, England. It is in the parish of Barley-with-Wheatley Booth. The village lies between Black Moss Reservoirs and Lower Ogden Reservoir....
, at the foot of Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill
Pendle Hill is located in the north-east of Lancashire, England, near the towns of Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Clitheroe and Padiham, an area known as Pendleside. Its summit is above mean sea level. It gives its name to the Borough of Pendle. It is an isolated hill, separated from the Pennines to the...
. Famous for the Demdike family of Pendle witches
Pendle witch trials
The trials of the Pendle witches in 1612 are among the most famous witch trials in English history, and some of the best recorded of the 17th century. The twelve accused lived in the area around Pendle Hill in Lancashire, and were charged with the murders of ten people by the use of witchcraft...
who lived there in the 17th century. Newchurch used to be called 'Goldshaw Booth' and later 'Newchurch in Pendle Forest', however this was shortened to 'Newchurch in Pendle'. The civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
is still named Goldshaw Booth.
St Mary's Church
St Mary's Church, Newchurch in Pendle
St Mary's Church, Newchurch in Pendle, is in the village of Newchurch in Pendle, Lancashire, England. The church has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. It is active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Blackburn, the archdeaconry of Blackburn and the...
at the centre of the village is steeped in history. It's not that easy to see from the road as it's on the downward side of a steep hill with a row of houses at the top and the local primary school (St Mary's Church of England School) to the side. There was a chapel of ease
Chapel of ease
A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church, built within the bounds of a parish for the attendance of those who cannot reach the parish church conveniently....
on this site in 1250 and a later chapel was dedicated in 1544. The tower, although restored, is the only remaining part of that building. The current church was probably built in the 17th century, it was only completed in 1740. The "eye of God" is built into the west side of the tower. To the east of the porch, up against the south wall, is the grave of a member of the Nutter family (carved with a skull & crossbones). Local legend has it that it's the last resting place of Alice Nutter, one of the famous Pendle witches. However, executed witches were not normally buried in consecrated ground, and the skull and crossbones is a common memento mori
Memento mori
Memento mori is a Latin phrase translated as "Remember your mortality", "Remember you must die" or "Remember you will die". It names a genre of artistic work which varies widely, but which all share the same purpose: to remind people of their own mortality...
device used to remind onlookers of their own mortality. So it can be fairly confidently asserted that the legend is in fact a myth. Each year since 1949 the ancient ceremony of rushbearing
Rushbearing
Rushbearing is an old English ecclesiastical festival in which rushes are collected and carried to be strewn on the floor of the parish church. The tradition dates back to the time when most buildings had earthen floors and rushes were used as a form of renewable floor covering for cleanliness and...
is commemorated in August. There is a procession around the village and the new Rushbearing Queen is crowned followed by a service of thanksgiving in the church.