Widdershins by Helen Steadman
Widdershins is inspired by the Newcastle witch trials, where 16 people were hanged. Despite being the largest mass execution of witches on a single day in England, these trials are not widely known about. In August 1650, 15 women and one man were hanged as witches after a Scottish witchfinder found them guilty of consorting with the devil. This notorious man was hired by the Puritan authorities in response to a petition from the Newcastle townsfolk who wanted to be rid of their witches.
Widdershins is told through the eyes of Jane Chandler, a young woman accused of witchcraft, and John Sharpe, the witchfinder who condemns her to death. Jane Chandler is an apprentice healer. From childhood, she and her mother have used herbs to cure the sick. But Jane soon learns that her sheltered life in a small village is not safe from the troubles of the wider world. From his father’s beatings to his uncle’s raging sermons, John Sharpe is beset by bad fortune. Fighting through personal tragedy, he finds his purpose: to become a witchfinder and save innocents from the scourge of witchcraft.
The Historical Novel Society said of Widdershins: “Impeccably written, full of herbal lore and the clash of ignorance and prejudice against common sense, as well as the abounding beauty of nature, it made for a great read. There are plenty of books, both fact and fiction, available about the witch-trial era, but not only did I not know about such trials in Newcastle, I have not read a novel that so painstakingly and vividly evokes both the fear and joy of living at that time.”
Recommended for anyone who has enjoyed Stacey Halls' The Familiars, Beth Underdown's The Witchfinder's Sister, AK Blakemore's The Manningtree Witches, Elizabeth Lee's Cunning Women, Louisa Morgan's A Secret History of Witches, Jeanette Winterson's The Daylight Gate, Madeline Miller's Circe, Arthur Miller's The Crucible, or Deborah Harkness' A Discovery of Witches.
About the author
Dr Helen Steadman is a historical novelist. Her first novel, Widdershins and its sequel, Sunwise were inspired by the Newcastle witch trials. Her third novel, The Running Wolf was inspired by a group of Lutheran swordmakers who defected from Germany to England in 1687.
Despite the Newcastle witch trials being the largest mass execution of witches on a single day in England, they are not widely known about. Helen is particularly interested in revealing hidden histories and she is a thorough researcher who goes to great lengths in pursuit of historical accuracy. To get under the skin of the cunning women in Widdershins and Sunwise, Helen trained in herbalism and learned how to identify, grow and harvest plants and then made herbal medicines from bark, seeds, flowers and berries.
Review
‘Widdershins’ stole my heart - well Jane and Tom did anyhow. It is a perfect example of historical fiction, well researched, exemplary historical basis of fact, brilliant characters to bring it to life and a narrative that pulls at the heart strings but still has a capacity to shock the reader. I am honestly so happy that I have Sunwise to dive into as I have been left wanting more from this author and to further the story. I listened to the audiobook for this one and it added an extra layer onto the story for me as the narrator Christine Mackie did an amazing job giving these characters life.
‘Widdershins’ is told through two voices of Jane Chandler and Tom Sharpe. Jane is a local girl who lives in a small village with her Ma and the village Rector. Growing up she is taught that nature is the world’s healer and her Ma teaches her how to make tonics and herbal concoctions as well as the arts of midwifery. Tom lives in an abusive household, one where his Father blames the local healing woman for killing his wife during childbirth. When his father dies Tom goes to live with his Uncle who is a Rector, one of the witch accusing kind. He takes on these beliefs and after his own wife dies in childbirth he decides that he is going to become a witch hunter himself and rid the land of the women who caused him trauma. When Jane and Tom’s world collide it comes with devastating consequences.
Jane comes across as being a gentle, innocent pure soul, full of love and kindness. I loved her story and finding love with Tom. Also, the bond between Jane and her Ma was very touching and powerfully put across in this story. You know the author has done an excellent job with a character when you hate someone as much as Tom Sharpe! What a horrible wee man, caught up with his own destiny and vile intentions.
I honestly loved this book and can’t wait to dive into Sunwise tomorrow!
