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The Witches of North Yorkshire
Inside this little book you will meet some of the North Riding’s more notorious witches. All of these women actually lived, but whether they could really cast spells or fly about on broomsticks we cannot say. What is important though, is that their neighbours believed they could, and the tales of their antics, passed down through the generations, are still with us today. Michael Wray has collected together 13 of the best of these stories, and reworked them in an accessible and humorous style. ENJOY!
- GenresHistoryWitchesNonfiction
64 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2001
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35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 19, 2016
I don't know why but I love these cute little tourist books about local ghosts and witches! They're really fun and cute, this one in particular had some great witches in it :)
November 4, 2020
Light, entertaining book of local folk tales about witches.
November 28, 2024
A short folky read. Local tales about Yorkshire women who were thought to be witches!
February 3, 2019
This was ok. There were a few typos but it wasn't too bad. This is more of a 'stories by the fire' collection of tales than anything terribly serious. I'd only heard of a couple of people associated with the tales in this book, but found some inconsistencies with true events. Obviously stories and folktales change through time, but with someone like Mary Bateman where there is extensive evidence of her activities I thought that would have been taken into consideration. I had hoped there would be a bibliography or a further reading section at the end of this so the reader could investigate the lives of these women who actually lived, but there was not. So for me this was a fun, quick read that says more about the society that created the stories than the people in them.
October 19, 2021
A little book of stories about some of North Yorkshire's notorious witches. All of these women actually lived but whether they could really cast spells or fly on broomsticks, no one can say for certain. What is incredible is that these stories have passed through generations and are still told today.
This is such a short book at only 62 pages long but it's 62 pages of enjoyment. I love hearing old witch tales as some are funny, some are heart breaking and some teach us life lessons. I, for one, believe in witches - not the 'turn you into a toad' type but more Wicca. I believe that your energy can help you, what you put in, you get out and if you are good to the earth it will be good back to you - after all they say that if you believe something will happen then it will, and if it so happens that you believe some candles, a healing crystal or a small ritual will help manifest it then so be it. We all do things that make us happy so there's no judgement for Wiccas on my page.
I think my favourite from this book is the tale of Nanny Howe of Kildale who supposedly chose to use her magic to keep her house clean and upon a visit from the Devil himself, bringing in dirt on his hooves, chased him out the house with her enchanted broomstick 🤭
The fact that these women lived is incredible but if some of these stories are true then I'm disgusted with how some of these women were treated. Especially Elsie Barber who was whipped over 50 fifty times every week because a farmer believe she cursed his sheep. Despite pleading innocence and begging for mercy he locked her in a cellar only to bring her out to be publicly tortured. It makes me sick. I guess we can be thankful that her story survived and anyone hearing it will know that George Langstaff is a disgusting human being and won't be missed. Elsie, I'm sorry you had to endure that.
Overall its a great little book and one I think would be nice to pass onto other generations so these stories are not forgotten!
This is such a short book at only 62 pages long but it's 62 pages of enjoyment. I love hearing old witch tales as some are funny, some are heart breaking and some teach us life lessons. I, for one, believe in witches - not the 'turn you into a toad' type but more Wicca. I believe that your energy can help you, what you put in, you get out and if you are good to the earth it will be good back to you - after all they say that if you believe something will happen then it will, and if it so happens that you believe some candles, a healing crystal or a small ritual will help manifest it then so be it. We all do things that make us happy so there's no judgement for Wiccas on my page.
I think my favourite from this book is the tale of Nanny Howe of Kildale who supposedly chose to use her magic to keep her house clean and upon a visit from the Devil himself, bringing in dirt on his hooves, chased him out the house with her enchanted broomstick 🤭
The fact that these women lived is incredible but if some of these stories are true then I'm disgusted with how some of these women were treated. Especially Elsie Barber who was whipped over 50 fifty times every week because a farmer believe she cursed his sheep. Despite pleading innocence and begging for mercy he locked her in a cellar only to bring her out to be publicly tortured. It makes me sick. I guess we can be thankful that her story survived and anyone hearing it will know that George Langstaff is a disgusting human being and won't be missed. Elsie, I'm sorry you had to endure that.
Overall its a great little book and one I think would be nice to pass onto other generations so these stories are not forgotten!
September 17, 2023
Another quick read in the series, would recommend
January 2, 2024
What a fantastic short read. Love the illustrations too. Well written and super interesting stories. I absolutely loved it and devoured it.
June 26, 2025
A little book of fun, quirky and fascinating witchy Folk Tales. Another great read whilst I’m away in Whitby!
November 16, 2019
Interesting stories.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews