Historic murder trial that became folklore set to be re-enacted in North Devon

Barnstaple Guildhall is set to stage a dramatic re-enactment this February of one of its most sensational murder trials.

Set against a backdrop of witchcraft, plague and intrigue, Poisoned Blood is based on true-life events which took place in the late 16th century and ended in a special session court of the Devon assizes at the Guildhall.

The true-crime story surrounds the curious death of a Devon nobleman at his Plymouth home and the alleged involvement of his wife, their maid and a local ship’s clerk.

The play has been written and produced by the team that brought the hugely successful False Witness play to Barnstaple Fringe a couple of years ago and it will run for three days from Thursday, February 26 to Saturday, February 28, starting at 7pm.

Above: False Witness at Barnstaple Guildhall proved very popular a couple of years ago.

Set in a time of witchcraft, amidst a backdrop of the campaign against the Spanish Armada, the trial of the three accused was transferred to Barnstaple Guildhall due to the Exeter Assizes being shut down with the prevalence of the plague.

A senior judge was sent to oversee the trial, which would become part of local folklore for years to come.

The play, co-written by local writers Tim Cooke and Tina Orr Munro, follows the various story threads that make the trial so intriguing. 

Perhaps the nobleman was another victim of the plague? Or, as some suggest, might he be a victim of poison and a witch’s spell?

Producer Tina Orr Munro said: “We want to showcase trials that actually took place in the same setting. Our first play, False Witness, featured a Victorian child, who, quite incredibly, was transported abroad for stealing a purse in the Pannier Market. 

“It was a popular sell-out, as part of Fringefest a couple of years back, so we thought, let’s explore further stories, which feature both our own history and the Guildhall’s.

“We set up Gavel Productions as a not-for-profit outfit and rely on a combination of grants and ticket sales. I’d like to thank Councillor Syed Jusef for his support and Barnstaple Town Council too, whose heritage and culture team we have been liaising with.”

Above: Rehearsing for Poisoned Blood, a true crime criminal trail re-enactment which will take place at Barnstaple Guildhall towards the end of February.

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The play’s director Tim Cooke added: “North Devon is full of remarkable stories, and many of the more intriguing true-crime events ended up being heard at Barnstaple’s Guildhall.

“We are lucky that we still have such an amazing asset in place and that the town council and others are happy to work with us to put on these events. It’s a unique type of theatre. Poisoned Blood has some extraordinary twists and turns, and we’re looking forward to putting it on.

“Indeed, many hundreds of criminal trials have been heard at Barnstaple’s iconic Guildhall over the centuries, but few quite like this.”

Above: Co-writer and producer of Poisoned Blood Tina Orr Munro with co-writer and director Tim Cooke.

Tickets are available online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/poisoned-blood-2