Research Suggests Last Executed Witch May Have Survived

New research by Professor Mark Stoyle from the University of Southampton suggests that Alice Molland, long believed to be the last woman executed for witchcraft in England, may have actually survived her trial in 1685. Stoyle posits that a clerical error in court records could mean that the woman sentenced to death was actually named Avis Molland, leading to confusion over Alice's existence. This theory challenges over a century of historical consensus, as Alice was presumed executed in Heavitree, Devon, while a plaque commemorates her alongside the Bideford witches who were definitively hanged in 1682. Stoyle's findings indicate that Avis Molland was a widow with several children, which aligns with the profile of women often accused of witchcraft. The research highlights the potential inaccuracies in historical documentation, particularly with records written in Latin during the 17th century. These revelations add a new layer to the narrative of witchcraft persecution in England.