Mist over Pendle

This was a well-written tale, I didn't and don't know much about The Pendle Witch Trials of 1612, so I can't vouch for historical accuracy. YouTube's Lady of the Library recently did a video on the Pendle Witches, which led to me falling down a rabbit hole. (Those interested should check out her video and one entitled "The Pendle Witch Child"-that's not a typo-the documentary really is called "The Pendle Witch Child" and it is absolutely worth the watch, it too is available on YouTube) As I said, I can't vouch for the historical accuracy, but I loved the dark and rather Gothic thread that ran throughout this story. Margery was a particular favorite, as far as characters go. I can't help but wonder if the author had something against the Nutter family, in particular, for him to characterize Alice Nutter in such a way. I highly doubt she or any of these women were witches. This is one of the most well-documented trials, which also laid some groundwork for future cases, such as this, wherein the testimony of children was allowed and given significant weight, as was the case in terms of the testimony of Jennet Device, aged 9, of Pendle. Her testimony had influence on our own witch trials here in the states, in Salem many years after Pendle. I rather wish the author had spent more time with Jennet, Alizon, Old Demdike, and even Old Chattox instead of Alice and the Nutter family rather than quite as many fictional characters. That is my only complaint. Highly recommend as it is well worth the read.

I bought this book via Amazon.com USA, as a teenage girl I read this book, as I lived at home at the time in Lea Nr Preston which isn't too far from Pendle.I loved stories of whitches and fairy's as a girl so this book was of interest and the book 'The Devil Rides Out', so when my dear friend Jane from Ringgold spoke of it I thought I would buy it for her, the book has arrived on time and in good condition and I'm sure she will love it as much as I did.It is very much a true story and of the it's time, Old England wasn't the wonderful place we would like to think it was, especially for lone women in fact it was very hard and cruel and some what barbarius and if you were of the catholic faith truly dangerous as this book proves.Do read it and if you visit Lancashire UK, visit the county you'll enjoy it and if your into the 'Lord of the Ring's' the Lancashre border with Yorkshire is the background to the shire's of that book!near Stoneyhurst the famous Catholic boarding school for boy's. Mist Over Pendle

This is my number one book of all time. I have read it at least 20 times over 40 odd years and enjoyed it again and again.

As I come from Lancashire, UK, this book is set in the area I came from, events are based on the Witch trials held at the beginning of the 1600s, the names of the main characters are correct. Very enjoyable book

I imagine that this book is little read nowadays; a great pity since in the realm of the supernatural it is hard to think of a more recent equivalent that approaches anywhere near its quality. Far more than its concern with witchcraft it is , I believe, a fine historical novel. Set in the early 17th century, it is as much concerned with the hunting and persecution of Catholics as with the world of the supernatural. The action begins when the spirited heroine, Marjorie goes to stay with her cousin, the Squire of a wild, open region including the Forest of Pendle. Roger Nowell's role as a justice brings Marjorie and other key characters into conflict and direct experience with the clashes and beliefs at the heart of the book.Robert Neill writes beautifully in evoking the age, the location and the intricate relationships between the characters. In addition to the themes of religion and witchcraft we have romance and adventure in abundance. Suspense is built up slowly and relentlessly until the exciting conclusion. I most warmly recommend this book, which should never have passed from fashion.

Exodus 22-18: “Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” .Mist Over Pendle published in 1951 was Robert Neill’s debut novel. He wrote several novels after that right up to the late 1970’s but non reached the heights of his debut. The success of this book is down, in no small way, to Thomas Potts ‘Wonderful Discoveries of Witches in the Countie of Lancaster’. Pott’s book, published in 1613, is an account of the Lancashire witch trials of 1612. It has been called the "clearest example of an account of a witch trial”.In Mist Over Pendle, Neill uses this account as the basis of his story, embellishing it with a fictional narrative and back story involving Margery Whittaker, who is sent to stay with her cousin Roger Nowell, who is a magistrate of Read in Lancashire. Roger is summoned to Rough Lea, home of the Nutter family, where Harry Milton has died under what is considered mysterious circumstances. Circumstances that the people of Pendle believe involves witchcraft.Mist Over Pendle may be a romance of sorts but it isn’t a fantasy or a horror story. Neill keeps his feet firmly on the ground with his story. There are no boiling cauldrons or witches with black cats on broomsticks flying though the air. He does however acknowledge that witchcraft did exist in 17th century Lancashire in so much as the people practicing it may have thought they had powers. A discovery early in the book of belladonna growing in the area, a noted poison, suggest potions may have been created and used out of malice.England in 1612 was a country of religious unrest, superstition and fear. The gunpowder plot was only 6 years previous. Neill weaves religious intrigue into his story involving, catholics, papists and purists.Robert Neill paints a vivid picture of life in 17th century Lancashire, its fashions, religion, dialogue and folklore, which I loved, being a Lancashire lad myself. I especially liked the brilliant description of Christmas with its mince pies shaped like mangers and filled with spices representing gifts from the east. I also loved the Lord of Misrule on Christmas Eve with his bloated bladder. With the rise of the Puritan party the custom of the Lord of Misrule was outlawed as it was deemed "disruptive". The custom remained banned even after the Restoration and soon became forgotten.’ I think we should bring him back!Having created such an authentic setting it required an equally good story to go with it. I think Robert Neill succeeded in that. It’s a little on the romantic side but not too sugary, and it is a plausible account of events, the fiction fits well with the facts. Using actually place names and real people emphasis this.Apparently Neill told a story of a Lancashire bookseller who would not put Mist over Pendle on display until he had checked all the places and distances in the book for inaccuracies. A good example of the geographical accuracy of his book is the description of Margery’s journey by wagon to Preston, a Journey of three days. It is because of this level of detail together with Neill’s skills as a story teller that I loved this book.

I found this book hard going, but did persevere to the end. The very olde worlde way of writing/conversation did not make for easy reading. The relationship between marjory and frank was not followed through, and the very unexpected, quick end left me looking for more pages. It seemed as though the author got fed up and decided to end the story quickly. I was waiting for a brilliant twist which never came.Bit disappointing

What can i say about this book, i have had two of these books could not put it down, lent the book to some body else and never got it back, the same with the second book, now i have got my third book from amazon and nearly finished reading it, it is so good, if you read the trial of the pendal witches 1612 you can follow mist of pendal, though this book if fictional past in this book match up with the trials, i think robert neill was very near the truth, and must have looked into the pedal witches before writing the book, i have to say its a must read book, love it