A dramatisation of the life of John Bradshawe: regicide and Chief Justice of the Palatinate of Chester and Flintshire, where he oversaw several witch trials in Chester Castle and Flint.
The film was commissioned by The Chester Heritage Festival 2024. This was my third production for them, and the most ambitious.
It was inspired by two trials.
Firstly the trial of three women from Cheshire. Anne Osboston and Ellen Beech from Rainow near Macclesfield, and Anne Thornton from Eccleston.
Secondly the trial of Dorothy Griffiths from Llanasa near Holywell in Flintshire.
My thanks to the cast: Christopher Ward, Gerry Johnson, Mike Wilding, Tommy Tyler Morgan, Vanda Hargen, Janice Fryett, Julie Frost, Franklyn Jacks, Craig Blackwell and Eleanor Ward who all put in stellar performances and a lot of hard work.
Clare Dudman 