Mary Pannal

Mary Pannal (died 1603) was an English herbalist and cunning woman who was accused of, and executed for, witchcraft in 1603.[1]

Mary Pannal
Died1603
York or Castleford
NationalityEnglish
Known forExecuted for witchcraft

Biography

Mary lived in Ledston, West Yorkshire where she had a reputation as a cunning woman or witch. She was accused of witchcraft following the death of a young child named William Witham in 1593 to whom she had administered a herbal mixture.[1][2]

The spelling of her married name was possibly Pannell and she may have been born Marye Tailer. In the Kippax Parish Registers an entry for the year 1558 shows 'John Pannell & Marye Tailer [9th] of Julie (July) married.'[3] Subsequently, in 1568 Raphe Pannell who may have been their son is shown as having been born but died the same year, with an Elizabeth Pannell being born in 1569. Then in 1570, there is a record of a baptism of 'John Pannell the [15th] of June...' In 1575 there is another record of baptism 'Agnes Pannell the [19th] of Sept...'.

The location and method of her execution are unclear;[4] she was either hanged in York after her trial or burnt at the stake near Castleford.[1]

Legacy
Footpath from Kippax to Mary Panel Hill in West Yorkshire

The ghost of Mary Pannal is said to haunt the woods near Pannal Hill, near Castleford. The suggestion is that if someone sees her ghost, which will be leading a horse, then someone close to them will die.[1]

A play inspired by her biography, Maleficium! The Life, Trial, and Death of Mary Pannal, was written by Chris Gibson.[5]

References
  1. Johnson, Helen (31 October 2018). "The Yorkshire Witches: Mary Bateman, Mary Pannal and Mother Shipton". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  2. Hunter, Joseph (1848). Antiquarian notices of Lupset, the Heath, and Sharlston, in the County of York. By the author of the topography of Hallamshire and of South Yorkshire. p. 58.
  3. "The registers of the parish church of Kippax, Co. York., 1539-1812".
  4. "Mary Panel". Allerton Bywater Online. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  5. "Haunting tale of Ledston witch". Pontefract & Castleford Express. 25 September 2002. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
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