ampampquotFascinating and vivid.ampampquot New StatesmanampampquotThoroughly researched.ampampquot The SpectatorampampquotIntriguing.ampampquot BBC History MagazineampampquotVividly told.ampampquot BBC History RevealedampampquotA timely warning against persecution.ampampquot Morning StarampampquotAstute and thoughtful.ampampquot History TodayampampquotAn important work.ampampquot All About HistoryampampquotWellresearched.ampampquot The TabletOn the morning of Thursday 29 June 1682 a magpie came rasping rapping and tapping at the window of a prosperous Devon merchant. Frightened by its appearance his servants and members of his family had within a matter of hours convinced themselves that the bird was an emissary of the devil sent by witches to destroy the fabric of their lives. As the result of these allegations three women of Bideford came to be forever defined as witches.