Inside the Bury St Edmunds Witch Trials: A Rare Tale Preserved at Moyse’s Hall Museum

You can see a 300-year-old rare book, giving an account of one of Bury St Edmunds’ infamous witch trials, on display in the town’s museum.

West Suffolk Council, which runs Moyse’s Hall Museum in the town, worked in partnership with the Bury Society, and the Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum, to purchase 'A Tryal of Witches, At the Assizes Held at Bury St. Edmunds for the County of Suffolk'.

The book accounts for the 1662 trial of Rose Cullender and Amy Denny (listed in the book as Duny) - the trial which links Bury St Edmunds to the famous Salem Witch Trials.

It was originally printed in 1716, some 54 years after the trial, at a time of huge social change. It was the year in which the last execution in England of an assumed witch, is believed to have taken place - Mary Hick and her nine-year-old daughter, Elizabeth Hicks from Huntingdon were both found guilty of selling their souls to the devil and were hanged on 28 July.

But it was also the age of enlightenment, a time when people were growing more sceptical of witchcraft and instead were engaging in rational thought and debate.

The Bury Society and Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum, two registered charities committed to supporting the protection of, amongst other things, the rich history of Bury St Edmunds, joined together to purchase the book. Each contribute £1,500 to secure the £3,000 purchase. The book is in the museum’s crime and punishment gallery where it will remain on display.

Diane Hind, Chair of the Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum, said: “The Friends of Moyses Hall Museum were delighted to collaborate in funding the purchase of this most important book, which records a dark episode in the town’s history. The Bury witch trials and the accompanying hysteria fostered by this book had wide significance. A most valuable addition to Moyses Hall’s nationally important collection of items related to witchcraft and superstition.”

Held at the Assize Court in the Shirehall at Bury St Edmunds over four days (March 10-13, 1662), the trial, on March 13th was presided over by Sir Matthew Hale, Lord Chief a Justice of the King’s Bench and Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer – the 2nd most senior judge in England.

Terry O’Donoghue, Secretary and Vice-chair of the Bury Society, said: “The Bury Society was delighted to support Moyse’s Hall Museum in the acquisition of this rare written record of the shocking events surrounding the famous ‘Witch Trials’ in the town. The society is not only committed to preserving the physical heritage of Bury St Edmunds but also important material such as this book, which adds detail to the story of our town for the benefit of the townspeople and visitors.”

Moyse’s Hall Museum has formed an international partnership with The Salem Witch Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, as part of a project to explore the shared history of the infamous witch trials and encourage US visitors to the town. Information on these connections will go on display at both the Salem Witch Museum and at Moyse’s Hall Museum this winter. A series of lecture swaps is also planned with the Salem Witch Museum giving lectures to the Bury St Edmunds museum audience and vice versa - creating a mutual exchange of knowledge and culture.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council said: “We were delighted to work with The Bury Society and the Friends of Moyse’s Hall Museum to secure this very rare record of what was both a tragic and evil episode in our local history and one that has meaning for the world we live in today. It’s important that we reflect on the lessons of our history, that we engage in debate rather than get drawn into hysteria.”