The Campaign for Pardoning Maidstone’s Convicted Witches

Just outside London lies Maidstone, a tranquil town in southern England. Four centuries ago, Maidstone was infamous for witch hunts. Historical records indicate that over 20 women were executed for witchcraft in Maidstone, adding to the historical witch hunt frenzy of the 1600s in England.

During England’s witch hunt peak, approximately 5,000 women were convicted and executed in England and Scotland—some were hanged, others were burned. Claire Kehily, of the Maidstone Borough Council, notes that these victims were often single women, spinsters, or widows, making them easy targets in their society.

In a recent interview, Kehily showcased a reconstructed medieval prison cell in Maidstone’s town hall, where accused witches awaited trial. Kehily, alongside fellow councilors, is actively lobbying the U.K. government. They plan to petition King Charles III for official pardons for Maidstone’s convicted witches.

“It matters because it was a miscarriage of justice,” Kehily stated. “The alleged crimes were impossible. Many had no chance of proving their innocence.”

Though it occurred 400 years ago, Kehily emphasizes the relevance of acknowledging past injustices, drawing parallels to contemporary scapegoating.

The United States witnessed its own famous witch trials in the 1690s in Salem, Massachusetts. Arthur Miller’s play, “The Crucible,” brought renewed attention to these events, likening them to the political witch hunts led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. Notably, all Salem witches were eventually exonerated. However, in the U.K., none of the convicted witches have been formally pardoned.

Samantha Harris, who manages Maidstone Museum’s collections, revealed an official witch trial record from 1652. Harris explained these women were often blamed for unexplained calamities like natural disasters or livestock deaths, highlighting their role as societal scapegoats.

For Harris, the quest for pardons feels personal. She reflects on the historical views that perceived independence or singlehood as threats. Harris stated, “Being single and independent would have branded me a witch then. Understanding history is crucial to preventing future recurrence of such injustices.”