International Women's Day is
celebrated each year on March 8th.
As Monday was International Women's Day and today is Witchcraft Wednesday here on the blog - I thought I'd honour both days with a post about Lowri, Agnes, and their brother Rhydderch...
In the shadows of Welsh history, where superstition and fear dictated the fate of many, the names Lowri ferch Evan, Agnes ferch Evan, and Rhydderch ap Evan stand as a chilling reminder of the witch trials that once gripped the land. Their story, though lesser known, is woven into the fabric of Wales’ dark past - a tale of accusation, persecution, and the relentless grip of suspicion.
During the 17th century, Wales saw far fewer witch trials than its English and Scottish counterparts, yet those accused faced the same grim fate. Lowri, Agnes, and Rhydderch were among the unfortunate few who found themselves entangled in the hysteria surrounding witchcraft.
Accused of maleficium - the act of causing harm through supernatural means - they were brought before the courts, their supposed crimes were over the death of Margaret Hughes and the bewitching of her daughter, Mary. Even though Margaret was already sick and Mary's symptoms aligned with that of a stroke.
Unlike England, where witch trials often involved brutal torture, Welsh courts were more inclined toward community-based justice, yet the weight of accusation alone was often enough to seal one’s fate. The trio was tried under the Witchcraft Act of 1604, which dictated that those found guilty of practicing harmful magic should face execution.
Records indicate that Lowri, Agnes, and Rhydderch were among the five individuals executed for witchcraft in Wales, their deaths marking a grim chapter in the country’s history. Their names, though not as widely remembered as those of infamous witches elsewhere, serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of justice in an era where fear outweighed reason.
The tale of these three accused witches is not just one of persecution - it is a testament to the enduring power of folklore, fear, and the resilience of those who lived on the fringes of society.
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Their legacy lingers in the whispers of history, a haunting echo of a time when belief in magic could mean the difference between life and death, and never having the privilege of growing old.
♥