BURNING TIMES!

Added 1499460327 by louisemac.

Inspired by a folk song by Christy Moore called Burning Times.

Between 1500 & 1800 it is estimated that 200,000 or more people were tortured, burnt or hanged in the western world as witches. Many of these were women who were the healers, wise women and midwives of their day, or elderly who were considered outsiders to the society in which they lived. The stories of witch trials and execututions are well known.

What is less well known however is that several hundred people, who rather than face torture and excecution took their own lives by mass suicide. They simply held hands and walked into the sea chanting prayers and incantations.

This is what we have attempted to commemorate in this image.

Thanks to all concerned.