Agnes Waterhouse (c.1503[1] in England - 27 July 1566 in Chelmsford, Essex), also known as Mother Waterhouse, was the first woman executed for witchcraft in England.
She was accused of witchcraft along with another woman, Elizabeth Francis in 1566. She confessed to having been a witch for 15 years and that her familiar was a cat by the same of Satan, which belonged to Elizabeth Francis.[2] Agnes was put on trial in Chelmsford, Essex, England, in 1566 for using witchcraft to cause illness[1] upon of William Fynne, who died on 1 November 1565. She was also charged with using sorcery to kill livestock, cause illness, as well as bring about the death of her husband. Her eighteen-year-old daughter Joan was also accused of the same crime, however, Joan testified against her mother in order to save herself. Agnes was hanged, and was the first woman executed for witchcraft in England.[1]
Agnes Waterhouse is a featured figure on Judy Chicago's installation piece The Dinner Party, being represented as one of the 999 names on the Heritage Floor.[1] In the British television show, Midsomer Murders, the nurse of character Alan Clifford is named after Waterhouse, in "The Straw Woman," episode.