Case file · Witch trials
Mary Bateman, the 'Yorkshire Witch'
Mary Bateman, a Leeds fortune-teller, was hanged on 20 March 1809 for poisoning Rebecca Perigo, whom she had swindled with 'spells' for protection from evil.
1809 CE · 53.80, -1.55 · status: official
The account
Bateman had earlier staged a hen that laid eggs inscribed 'Crist is coming'. After her execution her skin was sold in strips as charms and her skeleton was displayed until 2015.
The sceptical view
A con artist and murderer whose 'witchcraft' was a fraud.