The Wellington witch's ladder

Follow: Instagram | TikTok | Facebook | Shop | Etsy | Patreon

Note: This article was originally published by @gritchenwitch on Instagram. To learn about me and my practice, including more info on folk witchcraft, mountain magic, knot work, and hearthcraft, please visit gritchenwitch.com or join my Patreon at patreon.com/gritchenwitch.

---

The Wellington witch's ladder was discovered in 1878 in the attic of an abandoned home in Wellington, Somerset. Five feet long and woven with chicken feathers, the thin rope was found along with an old chair and six brooms. This area of the house, between the top floor and roof, was only accessible from the outside.

The home was reputedly once inhabited by a witch who lived and died there, leading to speculation that the items were used in witchcraft. While the brooms were supposedly used to fly, the rope was thought to aid in walking across roofs, resulting in the term "witch's ladder."

There is still debate as to the purpose of the rope, which currently hangs at the Pitt Rivers Museum at Oxford University (I'll make sure to post a picture under my "knot magic" highlight). The label reads, "Witches’ ladder made with cock’s feathers. Said to have been used for getting away the milk from neighbours’ cows and for causing people’s deaths. From an attic in the house of an old woman (a witch?) who died in Wellington."