28. When babies died in St. Osyth, locals blamed the midwife and cunning woman, Ursula Kemp
The first of two midwifes on this list, Ursula Kemp lived in St Osyth, England. Kemp lived in poverty, and alongside midwifery offered folk remedies and ‘unwitching’ services as a cunning woman. Unfortunately, when local babies died (distressingly common at the time), people began to suspect Kemp. Those who refused to pay her for her remedies also blamed Kemp for all subsequent misfortunes. After a while, enough people had a grievance to try her for witchcraft. The court promised to spare Kemp’s life if she confessed to everything. She took the opportunity, but they hanged her anyway in 1582.
