11th January 1950

Pendle Witch Trial took place in Lancaster in 1612 and Thomas Covell was the Keeper of the Castle and  locked up the witches.  The Judges’ Lodgings was originally the town house of Thomas Covell, Mayor of Lancaster and Keeper of Lancaster Castle.  He demolished the Old Hall and built a New Hall on the site around 1625, as Lancaster developed its status as port, market town and centre of justice for Lancashire.

Thomas Covell died on 1st August 1639. He was buried in Lancaster Priory where you can see a brass floor plaque with his name inscribed.