Bury St Edmunds Salem Witch Trials Connection

While the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 are the most famous in the world, the blueprint for those tragic events was actually drawn right here in Suffolk. The history of witchcraft in Bury St Edmunds is a dark and compelling tale, serving as the legal "how-to" guide for the judges across the Atlantic.

The Infamous 1662 Bury St Edmunds Trial
The strongest connection between Bury St Edmunds and Salem lies in the trial of two local women, Amy Denny and Rose Cullender, in 1662. At the time, Bury St Edmunds was a centre for judicial activity in East Anglia.

Presided over by the renowned judge Sir Matthew Hale, this trial became a landmark in English law. Denny and Cullender were accused of bewitching local children, and the evidence used to convict them set a terrifying precedent that would eventually cross the ocean.

The Invention of "Spectral Evidence"

One of the most important keywords in witch trial history is spectral evidence. This allowed witnesses to testify that a person's "spirit" or "spectre" had attacked them, even if the accused was physically elsewhere.

Sir Matthew Hale’s decision to allow spectral evidence during the Bury St Edmunds witch hunts was documented in a pamphlet titled A Tryal of Witches. Thirty years later, this exact document was used by the judges in Salem, Massachusetts, to justify the execution of innocent people. Without the legal foundations laid in Bury St Edmunds, the Salem trials might never have reached such a fever pitch.

Matthew Hopkins: The Witchfinder General in Suffolk

You cannot explore Suffolk witch hunt history without mentioning Matthew Hopkins, the self-appointed Witchfinder General.

During the mid-1640s, Hopkins turned Bury St Edmunds into a focal point for his crusade. In 1645 alone, Hopkins' involvement led to the execution of 18 people in a single day at the Great Market. The atmosphere of fear he created in East Anglia was carried over to New England by Puritan settlers, who brought their superstitions and legal practices with them to the New World.

What to See in Bury St Edmunds Today

For visitors looking to walk in the footsteps of this haunting history, there are several key sites to visit:

Moyses Hall Museum - This is the definitive place for witchcraft related exhibits in Suffolk. The museum houses a gruesome and fascinating collection, including a "mummified" cat used to ward off evil spirits and a copy of the original trial publication 'A Tryal of Witches' used as the legal precendent in the Salem witch trials.
The Shire Hall - Located near the Abbey Gardens, this stands on the site where the historic trials were held.
The Nutshell - Britain's smallest and spookiest pub!
Ghostly and Macabre Walks - join Bury St Edmunds Tour Guide to uncover Bury's spooky history including the historic witch trials.