The Case of Ursley (Ursula) Kempe
Ursley Kempe lived in the Village of Saint Osyth in Essex, England. Young Davy Thurlowe became ill and Ursley paid the family a visit. Davy's pregnant mother, Grace Thurlowe, watched as, allegedly, Ursley went through some kind of ritual, reciting words, leaving the room, re-entering the room and repeating the words etc. Davy began to get better by that night and, after Ursley had visited the Thurlowe house a fourth time, he was completely recovered.
Shortly after Davy was 'cured' Grace gave birth to a little girl and Ursley claimed that Grace had promised her that she could help care for the baby. Grace denied this and, shortly after, the baby fell from the cradle and died from a broken neck. Grace Thurlowe then went to the local magistrate and accused Ursley of witchcraft.
After another woman accused her of bewitching a child, the magistrate questioned Ursley's eight-year-old son, Thomas, who told him that his mother had four familiars that would occasionally drink her blood. He also said that his mother had killed a man and a woman by bewitchment.
More accusations followed and the magistrate told Ursley that she would be treated fairly if she confessed. At this she burst into tears and confessed to owning familiars that killed, and made people sick for her. She also confessed to making Grace Thurlowe's daughter break her neck. She then went on to accuse more people in Saint Osyth of witchcraft and another thirteen people were arrested. Many of the women were condemned, at least in part, by the evidence given by their own children. At the end of the trial, Ursley and several other women were hanged.
Adapted from ‘Witches’ by Nancy Garden
