Ridden to Madingley as a Bay Mare

A Long Stanton woman told a judge she had spent a night as a horse. The judge had some awkward questions.

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Ridden Like a Mare

Witch

Ridden Like a Mare

Turned into a horse overnight, or so she told the judge.

Stand where it happened

What's there: Village streets; no marker for the story
Legend from: Commonwealth era, 1657-59
Tone: Curious

WitchesTrials

Before you go

This is a village story with no surviving marked spot; the village and its churches can be seen from public roads. Check before you go for church opening.

Long Stanton village
Near High Street, Longstanton
The pin marks the village; the exact spot isn't recorded.
Date20 November 1657

Long Stanton, 1659: a woman swore a Quaker widow had turned her into a horse and ridden her to Madingley.

In 1659 Margaret Pryor of Long Stanton accused two Quakers, William Allen and the widow Morlin, of witchcraft. She claimed that on 20 November 1657 Mrs Morlin came at night, slipped a bridle into her mouth, turned her into a bay mare and rode her to Madingley Hall, tethering her at the door while Quakers feasted inside on mutton, rabbits and lamb. At the Cambridge Assizes Judge Windham asked why her hands and feet were not sore or muddy. She replied she had burned elder bark with Morlin's hair to stop her, and the judge said that made her the witch. Both were acquitted.

One sourceOnly one written account of this legend has been found so far.

Ridden to Madingley as a Bay Mare

Ridden Like a Mare

Before you go

Sources