After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal – Episode Summary

Title: Ireland's First Witch: Medieval Murderer? (Part 2)
Host/Author: History Hit
Release Date: December 9, 2024

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal delves into the shadowy corners of history, unraveling tales of the supernatural, intrigue, and sinister deeds. In the second part of the series on Ireland's first alleged witch, Alice Kittler, hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling continue to explore the enigmatic life and dark legacy of a woman whose actions have left an indelible mark on medieval Kilkenny.

Recap of Episode One: Setting the Scene

The episode begins with a brief recap of the first installment, reintroducing the key players in Alice Kittler's story:

• Alice Kittler: A wealthy moneylender and landowner in 14th-century Kilkenny, Ireland. Alice is notable for having been married four times, with each marriage ending under suspicious circumstances, possibly due to arsenic poisoning.

• Sir John Lauer: Alice's fourth husband, who falls gravely ill and dies under mysterious conditions, bearing the telltale signs of arsenic poisoning.

• Bishop Richard Dledred: An obsessive and zealous religious figure determined to exterminate what he perceives as witchcraft in Kilkenny. He views Alice as a witch and is intent on bringing her to trial.

• Petronella: Alice’s servant, deeply loyal and pivotal in the unfolding drama, whose fate becomes central to the narrative.

Quote:
Maddy Pelling (05:45): "Every single person in this, despite having lived 700 years ago to the day, almost in 1324, the events that we're discussing, despite living so long ago, they feel like palpable, real human beings to me."

The Escalating Conflict: Alice vs. Bishop Dledred

Power Struggle and Community Tensions
The core of the episode centers on the escalating tensions between Alice Kittler and Bishop Dledred. Alice, a formidable woman for her time, has amassed wealth and influence, which has naturally led to resentment among certain segments of Kilkenny's populace, including her stepchildren and the church.

Strategic Maneuvers and Escape
As Bishop Dledred intensifies his campaign against Alice, employing formal accusations and seeking support from secular authorities, Alice employs strategic delays to thwart formal proceedings. Recognizing the futility of prolonged battles against mounting evidence and relentless pursuit, Alice makes the decisive move to flee Kilkenny, escaping to England to evade the bishop’s clutches.

Quote:
Anthony Delaney (14:40): "She has to go. And I think that says a lot about her and her ability and her savvy, because there's fighting and then there's fighting, a pointless fight."

Aftermath of Alice's Escape
With Alice gone, Bishop Dledred shifts his focus to Petronella, intensifying his efforts to extract a confession through torture. This brutal method underscores the oppressive measures used by the church to suppress dissent and control the narrative surrounding witchcraft.

Petronella's Testimony and Execution

Forced Confession Under Torture
Petronella, Alice’s loyal servant, becomes the scapegoat for Alice’s alleged misdeeds. Under duress, Petronella is coerced into confessing a series of heinous acts attributed to Alice, including:

• Ritualistic Practices: Petronella claims that Alice conducted dark rituals involving sacrifices and demonic pacts, such as offering blood and organs to demons.
• Sexual Deviance: Allegations include Alice engaging in sexual acts with demons, further painting her as a morally corrupt figure.
• Poisoning of Husbands: Implicit in the narrative is the suggestion that Alice poisoned her four husbands to secure her wealth and status.

Quote:
Anthony Delaney (28:53): "Petronella said she had several times at Alice's instigation, and once in her presence, consulted demons and received answers."

Execution as a Warning
Ultimately, Petronella is executed by being burned at the stake, marking one of the earliest known instances of such brutal punishments in Europe. This execution serves as a dire warning to the community of Kilkenny about the consequences of challenging the church’s authority.

Quote:
Anthony Delaney (44:36): "I have a feeling something's going on here because yeah, mortality rates in 14th century Ireland are not great, but this isn't normal."

Analysis: Fact vs. Fiction in Alice Kittler’s Story

Historical Evidence vs. Legendary Narratives
The hosts dissect the available historical records, juxtaposing them against the more sensationalized stories that have emerged over the centuries. While historical evidence suggests plausible scenarios such as arsenic poisoning, many of the more lurid details of Alice’s alleged witchcraft likely stem from the biased accounts of her accusers, particularly Bishop Dledred.

Class and Gender Dynamics
Alice’s wielding of power as a woman in a patriarchal society inherently made her a target. Her ability to accumulate wealth and influence challenged the existing social norms, exacerbating tensions with the church and other societal elites.

Quote:
Maddy Pelling (19:50): "She has had four husbands, she is calling in people's debts. She's not running around making potions from. Babies' brains, worms, scorpions, some herbs."

Legacy and Modern Interpretations

Alice as a Folk Hero or Villain
In contemporary Kilkenny, Alice Kittler is often celebrated as a local folk hero—a woman wronged by an oppressive system. However, the historical ambiguity surrounding her actions leaves room for polarized interpretations. Some view her as a pioneering businesswoman who defied societal norms, while others ponder the possibility of her involvement in the untimely deaths of her husbands.

Symbol of Resistance Against Religious Extremism
Anthony and Maddy draw parallels between Alice’s story and modern struggles against religious extremism and gender oppression. Alice’s narrative serves as a historical cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked clerical power and the marginalization of powerful women.

Quote:
Anthony Delaney (48:17): "The warning here is centuries felt throughout Ireland, and it relates to women in the church. And it may also have a warning beyond Ireland in the current political climate, where religious extremism is blinding people to women's rights."

Petronella’s Enduring Significance
While Alice’s legacy endures in Kilkenny’s cultural memory, Petronella’s tragic end emphasizes the brutal consequences faced by those accused of witchcraft, especially women of lower social standing. Petronella becomes a poignant symbol of the innocent victims of religious persecution.

Quote:
Maddy Pelling (52:34): "Petronella is maybe the one to remember not over Alice. And certainly there are not enough women being remembered from history anyway."

Concluding Reflections

The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the enduring impact of Alice Kittler’s story. They highlight the intricate interplay of class, gender, and power in medieval Kilkenny and how these dynamics continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about women's rights and religious authority.

Final Thoughts:
Alice Kittler's enigmatic life remains shrouded in mystery, straddling the line between historical fact and folklore. Whether she was a cunning businesswoman, an actual murderer, or a victim of religious hysteria, her story offers profound insights into the complexities of medieval society and the ongoing struggle for women's empowerment.

Quote:
Maddy Pelling (57:04): "We will never know the truth of that either. But that dynamic between those three women is so poignant. And it’s at the heart of this story. And it raises as many questions as it answers, actually."

Notable Quotes:

• Maddy Pelling (05:45): “Every single person in this, despite having lived 700 years ago to the day, almost in 1324... they feel like palpable, real human beings to me.”

• Anthony Delaney (14:40): “She has to go. And I think that says a lot about her and her ability and her savvy...”

• Anthony Delaney (28:53): “Petronella said she had several times at Alice's instigation...”

• Maddy Pelling (19:50): “She has had four husbands...”

• Anthony Delaney (48:17): “The warning here is centuries felt throughout Ireland...”

• Maddy Pelling (52:34): “Petronella is maybe the one to remember not over Alice...”

• Maddy Pelling (57:04): “We will never know the truth of that either...”

This detailed exploration of Alice Kittler’s life and legacy not only sheds light on a potentially dark chapter of medieval Irish history but also invites listeners to ponder the broader implications of power, gender, and societal control that transcend time.