Agnes Waterhouse (c.1503 in England - 29 July 1566 in Chelmsford, Essex), also known as Mother Water
Agnes Waterhouse (c.1503 in England - 29 July 1566 in Chelmsford, Essex), also known as Mother Waterhouse, was the first woman executed for witchcraft in England. In 1566, she was accused of witchcraft along with two other women: Elizabeth Francis and Joan Waterhouse. All three women were from the same town, Hatfield Perveril. She confessed to having been a witch and that her familiar was a cat (later turned into a toad) by the name of Satan, sometimes spelled Sathan, which originally belonged to Elizabeth Francis. Agnes was put on trial in Chelmsford, Essex, England, in 1566 for using witchcraft to cause illness upon of William Fynne, who died on 1 November 1565. She was also charged with using sorcery to kill livestock, cause illness, as well as bring about the death of her husband. Her eighteen-year-old daughter Joan Waterhouse was also accused (but found not guilty) of the same crime. Joan Waterhouse’s testimony ultimately helped to convict the two other women. Agnes was hanged, and was the first woman executed for witchcraft in England. On the 29th of July, 1566 - two days after her trial finished - Agnes Waterhouse was executed. At this time she repented and asked for forgiveness from God. She also confessed to her attempt to send the cat, Satan, to hurt and damage the goods of her neighbor, the tailor named Wardol. However, this was unsuccessful because he was so strong in faith. She was also questioned about her church habits. Agnes Waterhouse said that she prayed often, but always in Latin because the cat, Satan, forbid her from praying in English. The Waterhouse trial was typical of English witchcraft in the absurdity of the charges and the emphasis upon the familiar.This trial resulted in the first punishments and executions for witchcraft in England, and also inspired the first of many pamphlets on both the subject of witchcraft and particular trials that constitute an important source for witchcraft beliefs. -- source link