The Merrybegot - Julie Hearn

Nell lives with her grandmother, the local cunning woman and healer, in a seventeenth century West Country village. When one of the minister's daughter falls pregnant she and her sister attempt to conceal it by accusing Nell of putting a curse on them. Nell is alone, trapped and in mortal danger. Who can she trust? Who will save her?Themes: Witchcraft, teenage pregnancy, prejudice, health and healingTeaching Focus:* Original dual narrative structure with time shifts between narratives and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end.* Strong characterisation lends itself well to drama activities.* Wide vocabulary used (including archaic words) provides rich sentence level work.* Themes link to history and religious studies.Recommended for students in Years 8 and 9