The Witchfinder of Batcombe: a talk by Dr Andrew Pickering

This fascinating illustrated talk explores the important place of Batcombe in the history of witchcraft belief and its persecution in early modern England.

It will focus on the life and work of Richard Bernard, the Rector of St Mary’s from 1613 to 1639, and the author of the definitive guidebook for jurymen involved in witchcraft trials.

The speaker, Dr Andrew Pickering, is a historian, lecturer and author. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and Chairman of the Bruton Museum Society. He is the author of The Witches of Selwood: Witchcraft Belief and Accusation in Seventeenth-Century Somerset and several other books on aspects of the history of Selwood Forest.