Most horror fans know at least a brief history of witchcraft and some of those unfortunate souls that ended up being put to death because of it. Salem’s infamous witch trials of course being widely known, here in the UK the more infamous ones were the likes of The Pendle Witches & those in Islandmagee for example. Upcoming indie horror ‘Something Wicked’, however, will be introducing horror fans to the story of Gwen Ferch Ellis- the first woman in Wales to ever be tried and executed for witchcraft.
Only one of five (four women & one man) ever to be convicted and killed of the crime here in Wales, she was executed by hanging in 1594. Gwen Ferch Ellis was born around 1522 in Llandyrnog, Vale of Clwyd. Whilst her parent’s names weren’t recorded, historic records show she had a sister and Uncle, whom she went to live with from the age of five or six. Married three times throughout her life, Ellis was a cloth spinner who was well-known in the community for practising the arts of healing using charms. Whilst she didn’t charge for her help, she was compensated with food of items such as wool.
She was accused of witchcraft after a paper charm, assumed to belong to her, was found in Thomas Mostyn of Gloddaeth’s parlour. With Mostyn being a member of high society (upper class) and an influential member of the local gentry it was never going to end well for her. She was taken to trial and accused of several acts of witchcraft, with seven witnesses testifying against her. Gwen, however, stood firm and bravely defended herself in court. She admitted using charms and has been healing for around ten years, after learning it from her sister.
Despite her protest and defence, she was convicted and sentenced to death by hanging- the penalty set out by the Witchcraft Act 1562. She was hanged in Denbigh Town Square October 1594; she was only 42.
Story of Wales’ First Executed Witch Immortalised On Screen in Something Wicked.
Film maker Martyn Owen, and Northouse Film, is now looking to bring her story to life on the big screen.
“The style of filmmaking had to be just right to bring this character to screen in any form & we have found a way to execute that, it would be something unseen within the witchcraft / horror genre or just the horror genre as a whole. It’s a legend that needs to be told, it needs to be seen & of course we know that Gwen was a victim of the time & superstition. But that’s what makes this interesting, as after her death it was the mere mention of her name that would bring fear to those within the town. And still does to some. But Gwen won’t be alone.”
Martyn founded Northouse in 2021, after originally working as a graphic designer.
“I’ve always had a passion & love for horror as it combines all genres into one. But you get the added bonus of the scare, the feeling of unease. Northouse Film is an indie film & design studio but I wouldn’t have it any other way as we get to do what we want, not what we are told. I got in touch with people that inspired me & I was given opportunities to work alongside some incredible, mainly on texture design. But my passion has always been filmmaking itself. The studio & what we are working on is very much grounded in our approach to what’s possible, but we also know that you need to push past certain boundaries to pull off the unimaginable. Which is why we have brought on designers such as Aram Diarbian & J. Sam Keel to work alongside on specific sequences. I am very proud of Wales as a country; to call myself a Welshman & I just want people to see what we have to offer. It’s that simple”
Martyn Owen is penning the script and taking up directional duties for Something Wicked, with this film marking a debut from Northouse Film. Crew also includes Aram Diarbian, Megan Connor, J. Sam Keel, and James Parker. Cast includes stage & screen actor Llion Williams, Morgan Dun-Campbell, Alessia Lifantii, Beth Frigot, Bel Hewin and Llion Thomas.
The film will be shot here in the UK, with filming set to take place in Hawkshead, Cumbria and Clocaenog Forest in Denbighshire. Shooting is set to start January 2025 with the film making its way through the festival circuit upon completion.
We’ll update with more news as it releases, in the meantime you can check out their website HERE for more information.
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