350 years ago 14 residents of Malmesbury were accused of witchcraft, 4 were tried and 2 were hung. This important but little known part of Malmesbury’s history is being commemorated in a series of events being supported by Athelstan Museum and other community groups including The Civic Trust, the Malmesbury History Society, Athelstan Players, the Town Team, the Town Council and many individual volunteers during 2022. We will be hosting a temporary exhbition ourselves from June to August and the Rausing Building will be a centre-piece in the live event weekend being held on the 16th and 17th July.

The story starts here with this engaging and fascinating talk by Tony McAleavy, who will take us back to the first claims of witchcraft in Malmesbury in the 1590’s and how this influenced the young Thomas Hobbes and the links to the tragic events nearly 100 years later.

Tony will also be launching and signing copies of his new book ‘Thomas Hobbes & Malmesbury’ – and the full Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 programme will be revealed!

Town Hall on Thursday 24th March at 7:30pm.
Tickets £8:00 from the Town Hall
or online via Eventbrite www.malmesburywitch.eventbrite.co.uk