Ireland's First Witch: Medieval Murderer? (Part 1)

2024/12/2

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Anthony Delaney

Maddy Pelling

Anthony Delaney: 本集和下集将讲述爱尔兰第一位女巫Dame Alice Kittler的故事，故事发生在他家乡基尔肯尼，他从小在那里长大，现在很喜欢回去。Alice Kittler被指控巫术，故事与历史事实并不完全吻合，现代基尔肯尼和周边地区的人们将Alice Kittler视为一位英雄人物，而非恐惧的对象。14世纪的爱尔兰，盎格鲁-诺曼人、盖尔-爱尔兰人和教会势力交织，社会存在紧张关系。教皇约翰二十二世的反异端政策对爱尔兰基尔肯尼地区产生了影响。基尔肯尼是一个重要的、有影响力的城镇，曾一度成为爱尔兰的首府，保留了大量的中古历史遗迹。中世纪爱尔兰女性的地位复杂，文学作品中塑造了强大的女性形象，但实际权力有限。14世纪早期欧洲的巫术审判往往具有政治动机，圣殿骑士团被指控巫术，这为Alice Kittler的案件提供了背景。基尔肯尼是一个虽然规模不大，但富有且有影响力的城镇。Alice Kittler出身于富有的盎格鲁-诺曼家庭，以商业头脑和独立性著称。Alice Kittler以其多位丈夫的早逝而闻名，这引发了人们的怀疑。Alice Kittler的儿子William Outlaw Jr.在她的事业中扮演了重要的角色。Alice Kittler的第二任丈夫死后，人们开始怀疑她。Alice Kittler被视为一个令人恐惧的女性形象，因为她的财富和权力以及她丈夫的死。Alice Kittler通过婚姻积累财富，挑战了父权继承制度。在Alice Kittler的审判之前，多个关键人物参与其中，存在紧张关系。 Maddy Pelling: 本集将讲述爱尔兰第一位女巫Dame Alice Kittler的故事。爱尔兰和英国第一次因异端罪行被火刑处死案件发生在基尔肯尼。故事发生在700年前的1324年。关于Alice Kittler的谣言在基尔肯尼传播，她的继子指控她使用魔法致使她的丈夫们早逝。主教Richard de Ledred对Alice Kittler的指控很感兴趣，他利用对Alice Kittler的指控来提升自己的地位。主教Richard de Ledred是故事中的反派角色，他可能与圣殿骑士团的异端指控有关。主教Richard de Ledred在基尔肯尼不受欢迎。Alice Kittler的仆人Petronella de Meath是她的重要盟友，Petronella de Meath被认为是Alice Kittler巫术团伙的一员。Alice Kittler与Petronella de Meath之间的密切关系，以及Alice Kittler对仆人的信任，在当时被视为一种威胁。Petronella de Meath能够提供Alice Kittler私人生活的信息，这使得她成为关键证人。对Alice Kittler的指控基于所谓的“撒旦遗物”，在中世纪的房屋中发现骨头、粉末和深色液体并不罕见，这些被用作巫术证据。

Deep Dive

Key Insights

Who was the first person executed for witchcraft in Ireland?

The first person executed for witchcraft in Ireland was Alice Kyteler in 1324.

What was Alice Kyteler's role in medieval Kilkenny?

Alice Kyteler was a successful businesswoman and moneylender who became prominent in Kilkenny for her wealth and independence.

How many husbands did Alice Kyteler have, and what happened to them?

Alice Kyteler had four husbands, all of whom died prematurely, leading to suspicions that she was involved in their deaths.

Who was Bishop Richard de Ledred, and how did he influence Alice Kyteler's case?

Bishop Richard de Ledred was a zealous clergyman appointed to Ossory in 1317. He became obsessed with the accusations against Alice Kyteler, seeing her as a threat to the church's authority.

What were some of the accusations made against Alice Kyteler?

Alice was accused of using sorcery to kill her husbands, practicing dark rituals, and possessing satanic relics such as bones, powders, and a vial of dark liquid described as blood.

Who was Petronella de Meath, and why was she important in the case against Alice Kyteler?

Petronella de Meath was Alice Kyteler's loyal maid, who lived in her household. She became a key figure in the accusations against Alice because she had access to the private, domestic life that the bishop believed held evidence of witchcraft.

What was the political and social climate in medieval Ireland during Alice Kyteler's time?

Medieval Ireland was characterized by the assimilation of Anglo-Normans and Gaelic Irish, the influence of the church, and shifting English interests. The church, under Pope John XXII, was becoming more strict in its moral codes, which influenced events in Kilkenny.

How did the people of Kilkenny view Alice Kyteler in modern times?

In modern times, Alice Kyteler is seen as a figure of fun and heroism in Kilkenny. She is respected as someone who was hard done by, a victim of patriarchy and colonialism.

What was the significance of Kilkenny in the medieval period?

Kilkenny was a wealthy and influential town in the medieval period, known for its trade, hospitality, and concentration of Anglo-Norman families. It later became the capital of Ireland, even over Dublin.

Why was Alice Kyteler's independence as a woman seen as a threat in medieval Ireland?

Alice Kyteler's independence and accumulation of wealth through her marriages disrupted the patriarchal inheritance system, where wealth and land were traditionally passed from father to son. This made her a target for accusations of witchcraft.

Chapters

This episode delves into the story of Dame Alice Kyteler, who was executed for witchcraft in 1324 in Kilkenny, Ireland. It begins with a description of her execution by fire, highlighting the historical significance of this event as the first known case of its kind in Ireland or Great Britain.

Alice Kyteler's execution for witchcraft in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1324
First known case of death by fire for witchcraft in Ireland or Great Britain

Shownotes Transcript

(Part 1/2) 700 years ago, in 1324, the first person to be executed for witchcraft in Ireland died in Kilkenny. This is the story of a successful business woman called Alice Kyteler, her servant Petronilla de Meath, and a Bishop hell bent on their destruction.

Anthony takes Maddy back to his hometown of Kilkenny to tell the tale.

Edited by Tomos Delargy. Produced by Freddy Chick and Charlotte Long.

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After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

Ireland's First Witch: Medieval Murderer? (Part 1) 48:18 Share