Powerful women accused of witchcraft faced political attacks

Historian Elena Woodacre examines how powerful women in medieval England, like Eleanor Cobham and Joan of Navarre, were labeled as witches when their political influence became a threat.

In 15th-century England, Eleanor Cobham, the duchess of Gloucester, faced accusations of witchcraft after commissioning astrologers to read King Henry VI’s chart without permission. This occurred as rivals sought to dismantle her husband’s power and influence, ultimately leading to her annulment and imprisonment.

Joan of Navarre, a widow of Henry IV, similarly saw witchcraft attached to her reputation through chroniclers and repeated accounts, fueled by xenophobia and disputes over her lands. While not formally accused during her life, the label stuck and became intertwined with narratives about her family. Woodacre argues that accusations of witchcraft often served as political tools to discredit and eliminate powerful women, obscuring the complex realities of their lives.

The historian notes that while reclaiming the “witch” label can be a feminist act today, it’s important to distinguish between celebrating a modern identity and accurately representing the historical experiences of these women. Contemporary retellings often attribute the same negative traits to medieval women, but with a positive spin, potentially overlooking the original misogyny behind the accusations.

Woodacre believes it’s crucial to approach these historical figures with critical awareness, recognizing that their reputations were often shaped by external forces and political agendas.