In the 17th century, many people in England believed in witchcraft and magic. Fear of witches was common, and accusations could cause serious consequences for those accused. Across the country, trials were held, and some people were executed, while others faced fines, imprisonment, or social isolation.
These fears reached even small villages in Kirklees. In 1674, Upper Denby experienced a notable local case. A sixteen-year-old girl accused a mother and daughter in the village of practising witchcraft and harming their neighbours. The women were arrested and taken to Barnsley gaol (an old spelling of jail) to await trial. The case caused distress in the village, but many local people, including the vicar, signed petitions defending the women’s good character. No record remains of the outcome, but surviving documents suggest the case may have been dismissed.
During this period, Kirklees was still largely rural, with small villages and scattered farms. Local families relied on each other for farming, trade, and community support. In such close-knit communities, suspicion or fear could spread quickly, making accusations of witchcraft a serious matter.
