The Pendle Witches were accused of selling their souls to familiar spirits or devils who appeared to them in human and animal form. In return for their souls, it was believed that the witches received the power to kill or lame who they pleased.

The usual method of murder, descirbed in Demdike's confession, was to make an ethigy of the intented victim, known as a 'picture of clay'. The image was then crumbled or burned over a period of time, causing the victim to fall ill and die.

The family at the centre of the witchcraft allegations: Alizon Device, James Device, Elizabeth Device and Demdike lived at a place called Malkin Tower. Demdike, who was in here eighties, was the head of the family and was rumored locally to be a very powerful witch.

An important meeting took place at Malkin Tower on Good Friday in 1612. The meeting, believed to have been a witches sabbat, was described to the authorities by James Device. Many of those who attended where later hanged.

Demdike had once been a close friend of another reputed witch Chattox, but they fell out and then feuded bitterly. The dispute between Demdike and Chattox was probably a reason why they and their respective families were willing to make incriminating statements against one another.

When Demdike died in gaol, Chattox changed here story, claiming Demdike was responsible for inticing here into witchcraft.