A Woman Named Sellers by Sarah L King

Author:Sarah L King
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: witches, english, lancashire, historical 1600s, lancashire history, english 17thc history, historical 17th century
Publisher: Sarah L King

18

St Mary’s Church, Newchurch-in-Pendle

September 1633

It was a crisp day in the early autumn, a lukewarm sun shining amongst wisps of white cloud, a gentle breeze teasing yellow leaves which had already fallen on to the ground. Jennet walked arm-in-arm with William as they made their journey from Hoarstones to Newchurch-in-Pendle. She smiled slightly to herself, feeling grateful for the favourable weather. She had risen early, leaving William to sleep while she went to wash in the river and to dress in the fresh shift, bodice and petticoats Goodwife Lund had given to her the previous week. She had been surprised by the Goodwife’s visit to her home and was reluctant to accept the gifts. However, Goodwife Lund had insisted. They’re just some things Grace had left behind, Goodwife Lund had told her; they might as well be put to good use. After all, she had added, she doubted Grace would come back for them now. Jennet had noted the anguished expression on her friend’s face and instinctively embraced her, silently wishing that Grace could see the pain she caused her mother.

“I hope you’re not having second thoughts,” William remarked, noticing the serious look on her face.

Jennet smiled. “No, not at all,” she said. “I was just thinking about Goodwife Lund.”

“It was good of her to agree to be a witness today. We couldn’t be married without sufficient witnesses, or church attendances, or banns.” He rolled his eyes then flashed her one of his broadest smiles.

Jennet gave a sigh of mock-exasperation. “William Braithwaite, you are impatient and you have little regard for custom, do you know that? The minister only asks what is required of him.”

William’s smile faded. “I would dispute that. Do you know that in London you can go to the Fleet Prison and be married by a minister for a little coin? Yet this minister wanted me to sit through his sermons week in, week out, so that he may count me among his flock. And why the requirement for two witnesses? A popish rule, surely.”

Jennet let out an amused chuckle. Seeing the serious expression on William’s face, she clapped her hand over her mouth to suppress it. “I’m sorry. He’s just cautious, I’m sure. You’re not from his parish, whilst I’m…” she hesitated, “I’m hardly a regular in his pews on a Sunday.”

William’s smile returned. “Well I don’t suppose it matters now. The minister has agreed to marry us, and thanks to his diligence I can consider myself once again to be well-versed in the doctrine of the English church. But most importantly, we will be married by the end of today.” He kissed the side of her head. “And I can’t wait until you’re my wife.”

Jennet gave him an affectionate squeeze, enjoying the sentiment but always confused by his views on faith. She knew that she had a simple understanding of these matters, but still she could not understand why the ‘English church’, as he called it, offended him so greatly – did its ministers not

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