John Stearne (c. 1610 – 1670)[1] was an associate of Matthew Hopkins, a witch-hunter active during the English Civil War.[2] Stearne was known at various times as the witch–hunter,[3][4] and "witch pricker".[5] A family man and land owner from Lawshall near Bury St Edmunds,[6] Stearne was 10 years older than Hopkins. He met Hopkins in Manningtree and appointed him as his assistant. As a result of Stearne's accusations, a trial was held in Chelmsford in July 1645 for 29 people accused of witchcraft and sorcery.[7] Of these 4 had died in prison prior to the trial[7] and 15 or 16[8] were subsequently hanged. Nine who had been convicted of conjuring spirits were reprieved.[9]
Within a year of the death of Matthew Hopkins, John Stearne retired to his farm and wrote A Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft.