In the deep and mysterious forests of the north, a legendary witch is said to dwell. Her powers are said to be extraordinary and her knowledge of ancient spells and potions unrivaled. The witch of the north is an enigmatic figure, often appearing to those in need of guidance or assistance. Stories of the witch have been passed down through generations, with each tale more fantastical than the last. It is said that she can control the elements, summoning storms or calming the seas with a mere flick of her wrist. Her ability to heal injuries and cure ailments is renowned, with many seeking her out for her medicinal expertise.
"Amen. Amen. A false tongue will never make a guilty person." Susannah Martin (May 2, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village Meeting House.)
of Salem Farmes JOHN WILLARD of Salem Village Died under torture September 19, 1692 GILES CORY of Salem Farmes Hanged September 22, 1692 MARTHA CORY of Salem Farmes MARY ESTY of Topsfield ALICE PARKER of Salem MARY PARKER of Andover ANN PUDEATOR of Salem WILMOT REDD of Marblehead MARGARET SCOTT of Rowley SAMUEL WARDWELL of Andover Died in jail December 3,1692 ANN FOSTER of Andover Died in jail March 10, 1693 LYDIA DASTIN of Reading. Carved on the face of the block granite is the inscription In memory of those innocents who died during the Salem Village witchcraft hysteria of 1692.
Her ability to heal injuries and cure ailments is renowned, with many seeking her out for her medicinal expertise. However, not all who encounter this powerful sorceress have good intentions. Some fear her abilities and label her as a threat to society.
The dawn of the witch honor
176 Hobart Street
Danvers, MA 01923
The Salem Village Witchcraft Tercentennial Committee of the Town of Danvers
On May 9, 1992, the Salem Village Witchcraft Victims' Memorial of Danvers was dedicated before an audience of over 3,000 people. It was the first such Memorial to honor all of the 1692 witchcraft victims, and is located across the street from the site of the original Salem Village Meeting House where many of the witch examinations took place. The Memorial serves as a reminder that each generation must confront intolerance and "witch hunts" with integrity, clear vision and courage.
This memorial project was undertaken by the Salem Village Witchcraft Tercentennial Committee of the Town of Danvers which commemorated the 300th anniversary of the witch prosecutions during 1989-1993. The Memorial itself was designed by Committee members Richard B. Trask; Robert D. Farley, CSI; and Marjorie C. Wetzel. Finance Chairman Ralph E. Aridff, Jr. raised money for the project through donations of numerous town, civic, patriotic, business and ethnic organizations and by individuals. The property was donated and is now maintained by the Town of Danvers, and the Memorial is open to the public daily from dawn to dusk.
Memorial Design and Symbolism
The design of the Memorial is highly symbolic in nature. On a light colored Barre granite sarcophagus measuring 4' x 8' x 4' rests an oversized representation of a slant-top bible box. In colonial times such boxes were used as storage containers for precious volumes and papers. The positioning of the block with the bible box on top is reminiscent of a colonial pulpit and its juxtaposition and correct alignment with what would have been the original Meeting House pulpit across the street is purposeful. Yet the bible box, a domestic item of furniture, better represents individual home-inspired devotion, rather than communal, ecclesiastical worship, denoting the significance of personal beliefs and morals.
The box is composed of Canadian Pink granite, and on its front is carved several different and local style rosettes, typical design features found in both Puritan furniture and gravestones. The five rosettes banded together by a serpentine vine are Puritan symbols for eternity. Resting on top of the bible box, and composed of the same brown-reddish granite as the box itself, is an open book with an inscription in 17th century typeface reading, "THE BOOK OF LIFE." In biblical language this phrase represented the record of those who should inherit eternal life. During the witch trials numerous persons testified that the accused had signed the "Devil's book" thus becoming witches and doing the work of the devil. Those who were executed for witchcraft refused to confess to being witches, for they wanted to be inscribed in "The Book of Life." At the time almost all in the Puritan community believed the accused to be guilty, while today the historical record, a modern-day "book of life" of sorts, has rectified the former deadly falsehoods of 1692.
The weight of truth, symbolized in the granite box and book, is also represented smashing through the falsehood of history, depicted by a pair of large scale reproduction metal shackles divided in two by the book and resting broken upon the block of granite. Curtis M. White, a talented blacksmith, staff member of the Saugus Ironworks National Park and at the time the resident overseer of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead, hand-forged the chains. Carved on the face of the block granite is the inscription "In memory of those innocents who died during the Salem Village witchcraft hysteria of 1692."
To the rear of this granite piece stands a three-panel 12 feet long by 8 feet high granite memorial wall containing in 17th century spelling form the names of the 24 men and women and one child who died as a result of the witch hysteria. Also included are the towns of origin of these people which include besides Salem Village, Salem Farmes (Peabody), Salem, Andover, Billerica, Amesbury, Reading, Topsfield, Marblehead and Rowley. Above the center panel on a granite ellipse is carved the Tercentennial Committees logo featuring a man grasping an open book. The man's hair style, robe and neck bands are reminiscent and symbolic of a 17th century cleric with an open bible or a magistrate with an open law book trying to come to understand and interpret the witch hysteria which had overtaken much of Massachusetts. The logo was designed for use of the Tercentennial Committee and donated by Jim Barina, founder of 'Spellbound,' a Salem, Massachusetts, advertising agency.
On each side of the Memorial wall stands at a 45 degree angle to it a wall inscribed to include in their own words brave statements made by eight of the accused witches during their harrowing examination just across the street from the memorial location.
In Memory of Those Innocents Who Died During the Salem Village Witchcraft Hysteria of 1692
| Died in jail May 10, 1692 SARAH OSBURN of Salem Village. |
| Hanged June 10, 1692 BRIDGET BISHOP of Salem |
| Died in Jail June 16,1692 ROGER TOOTHAKER of Billerica |
| Died in jail previous to July 19, 1692 INFANT DAUGHTER to Sarah Good of Salem Village |
| Hanged July 19, 1692 SARAH GOOD of Salem Village ELIZABETH HOW of Topsfield SUSANNAH MARTIN of Amesbury REBECCA NURSE of Salem Village SARAH WILDS of Topsfield |
| Hanged August 19, 1692 REV. GEORGE BURROUGHS of Wells, Maine, formerly of Salem Village MARTHA CARRIER of Andover GEORGE JACOBS, SR. of Salem JOHN PROCTER, SR. of Salem Farmes JOHN WILLARD of Salem Village |
| Died under torture September 19, 1692 GILES CORY of Salem Farmes |
| Hanged September 22, 1692 MARTHA CORY of Salem Farmes MARY ESTY of Topsfield ALICE PARKER of Salem MARY PARKER of Andover ANN PUDEATOR of Salem WILMOT REDD of Marblehead MARGARET SCOTT of Rowley SAMUEL WARDWELL of Andover |
| Died in jail December 3,1692 ANN FOSTER of Andover |
| Died in jail March 10, 1693 LYDIA DASTIN of Reading |
Note: The spelling of 17th century names varied widely even within families. Though there were several choices for spellings of many last names, the ones represented here are those for which the best contemporary evidence exists.
Brave Words of Some of the Accused Witches All of Whom Were Executed
"I am an innocent person. I never had to do with witchcraft since I was born. I am a Gosple woman." Martha Cory (March 21, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village Meeting House.)
The lord above knows my Innocencye . as att the great day win be known to men and Angells. I Petition to your honours not for my own life for I know I must die, and my appointed time is sett but the Lord he knowes it is that if it be possible no more Innocent blood may be shed . " Mary Esty (September 1692. Written while in prison awaiting execution.)
"If it was the last moment I was to live, God knows I am innocent . " Elizabeth How (May 31, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village.)
"Well! burn me, or hang me, I will stand in the truth of Christ . " George Jacobs, Sr. (May 10,1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem.)
"Amen. Amen. A false tongue will never make a guilty person." Susannah Martin (May 2, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village Meeting House.)
"I can say before my Eternal father I am innocent, & God will clear my innocency." Rebecca Nurse (March 24, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village Meeting House.)
"The Magistrates, Ministers, Jewries, and all the People in general, being so much inraged and incensed against us by the Delusion of the Devil, which we can term no other, by reason we know in our own Consciences, we are all Innocent Persons." John Procter, Sr. (July 23, 1692. Written while in Salem Prison.)
". I fear not but the Lord in his due time will make me as white as snow." John Willard (May 18, 1692. From the Rev. Parris account of the examination at Salem Village.)
On the other hand, the “beastfallen” Kudo from another group that is heading to the same area, is in a pinch after targeting by a witch hunting’s combat group, “Dia Ignis”.
They spread rumors of dark magic and curses, painting her as a malevolent force to be reckoned with. Yet, those who have truly met her know of her gentle nature and the light she brings to their lives. The witch of the north is believed to have lived for centuries, watching over the land and its inhabitants. Some even claim that she is immortal, forever bound to the forests she calls home. Her knowledge of ancient wisdom and her connection to nature make her a revered figure among those who believe in her existence. Many have sought her guidance in times of trouble or sought her out for her supernatural abilities. She is said to be wise beyond measure, offering sage advice and foresight into the future. Those who have been lucky enough to cross paths with her often leave with a sense of awe and wonder, forever touched by her presence. While the existence of the witch of the north may be debated, her legend continues to inspire and captivate the imaginations of those who hear her tale. Whether she is a real entity or merely a figment of folklore, her impact on the beliefs and traditions of the north is undeniable. She represents the wondrous and sometimes terrifying power of the natural world, reminding us of the magic that still exists in our modern lives..
Reviews for "From Valkyries to Witches: The Role of Women in Northern Mythology and Witchcraft"
1. Jane - 2 stars
I had high expectations for "Witch located in the north" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The plot was predictable and lacked originality. The characters were one-dimensional and difficult to connect with. The writing style also left much to be desired, with cliché dialogue and repetitive descriptions. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Mike - 1 star
I found "Witch located in the north" to be incredibly boring and poorly written. The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story failed to hold my interest. The main character was unlikable and lacked growth throughout the book. The world-building was weak, with little explanation or depth. I felt like I was just going through the motions while reading this and was relieved when it finally ended. Definitely not a book I would recommend.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I was hoping for an exciting fantasy read with "Witch located in the north" but was left feeling underwhelmed. The story lacked depth and complexity, with a predictable and unoriginal plotline. The world-building was minimal, leaving many questions unanswered. The characters were forgettable and lacked development. I found myself skimming through parts of the book, hoping it would get better, but unfortunately, it did not. I would not recommend this book to fans of the fantasy genre.