Joan Flower's Death

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This unfortunate and tragic event occurred during the Belvoir Witch Trials (1618-1619). Mistress Flower died in 1619. Joan Flower and her daughters- Margaret and Phillipa were employed as servants in an Earl's household in Lincolnshire. Around that time, it was well known by the locals that Mistress Flower was a firm atheist with 'witchy' facial features and a boastful nature. Shortly after Margaret was dismissed from the Earl's home for theft, the whole of the family that they were serving became sick.  The eldest son- Lord Henry Ross passed away and his parents and family  naturally wanted somebody to blame. As a result Mistress Flower and her daughters were rounded up.

Whilst Margaret and Phillipa openly confessed of being 'possessed' at their trial, Mistress Flower would not. In an attempt to try and prove her innocence, Mistress Flower asked for some bread and butter. She then said that if she was guilty then she would choke yet if she was innocent, then she would not. However simple it sounds, she choked on the first mouthful! We do not know whether this actually happened or is just a legend, but later her two daughters were hanged. 

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