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Suspicion in St. Osyth
Suspicion in St. Osyth
12 pages
Summary
In the small village of St. Osyth in 1582, seven-year-old Febey Hunt’s world was upended when whispers of witchcraft turned her peaceful home into a place of fear. Her stepmother, Ursula Kempe, a midwife and healer, was accused of casting malevolent spells. To Febey, Ursula’s remedies were acts of care—her poultices and potions often soothed fevers and aches. Yet, neighbors claimed she used those same skills to harm. Febey saw her stepmother dragged to trial, where neighbors gave chilling testimonies. They spoke of Ursula’s supposed curses causing illness and death. The young girl struggled to reconcile these tales with the warm, hardworking woman she knew. To Febey, the accusations seemed like a nightmare conjured by adults' mistrust and superstition. When Ursula was condemned, Febey felt the weight of the village’s judgment—not just on her stepmother, but on her own family. Rumors spread like wildfire, tainting everyone connected to Ursula. Febey watched as fear fueled division and heartache. The witch trials forever changed the young girl, planting questions about justice and truth. For Febey, it was a harsh lesson in how fear and suspicion could overshadow kindness, leaving her with a story she would never forget.
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