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The Hall Is worth a visit in itself. It is situated a short distance from Greenhead, along the river towards Padiham. The 17th century owners were the Shuttleworths.
They owned West Close (which we come to in Stage 4), where accused 'witches' Chattox and Anne Redfearn lived - adjacent to the Nutters at Greenhead.
At the time of the trial Richard's wife was called 'Fleetwood', who is the central character in book of fiction based on this trial called 'The Familiars'. Written by Stacey Halls, it was inspired by her stay at Gawthorpe Hall.
The hall now has a reputation for ghosts - one of which is supposed to emanate from the witch trials. Some have suggested Colonel Richard Shuttleworth's involvement with the Pendle witch trial has had a 'ghostly' effect on the hall. He was - apparently - at the Lancaster Assizes when the witches were convicted.
He not only owned the land that Ann Redfearn lived on, but it was his manservant that first accused her of witchcraft. It may also explain why he was not the JP in charge of the whole affair, as he nearest.
(check re JP....Les told me)
It was Colonel Richard Shuttleworth’s servant Robert Nutter who accused the women of witchcraft in the first place. He lived at of the the Greenhead Manor. Remember Robert was 'spurned' by Anne Redferne 18 years previously...and Chattox threatened him away - claiming her powers of witch craft to keep him away. (Check details)
Some years later, Colonel Richard Shuttleworth, who along with 400 other soldiers saw off 4000 royalists at Read Bridge (see Stage 5 Read Bridge). He thus saved Gawthorpe Hall from being taken over.
Chattox and her family lived on Shuttleworth lands, at West Close
The Shuttleworths had to pay 6d as landowners for the transporting of Bess Whittle's clothes to a Lancaster Trial in 1613. Bess was Chattox' other daughter but she was not convicted of witchcraft. The clothes were her downfall for Bess had broken into Malkin Tower and stolen the best linen apparel from the Demdike brood, then was foolish enough to wear them at church on Sunday! She had been seen by Alison Device, granddaughter of Old Demdike (the nickname of Elisabeth Southerns) who reported her to Roger Nowell, the magistrate.
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