Investigation after witch's 'brew' found

HALLOWEEN has come early to Stafford with the discovery of a grotesque and rare 17th century jar designed to scare off witches.

The glazed "Bellarmine" jar was found on the site of the former Turk's Head Inn beneath the Tipping Street car park.

Archaeologists are exploring the site in preparation for the possible construction of new offices and retail space for the county council.

Bellarmine jars originated in Germany and were often reused as witches jars, filled with a concoction of urine, nail clippings and hair and buried under floorboards. It was believed they would ward off witches' spells or evil spirits.

County Archaeologist Steve Dean said: "This is a beautiful example of an exceptionally unusual jar. It is in perfect condition, and we are very hopeful that some of its contents will survive. It has now been sent away to be x-rayed so we can examine what is inside.

"Bellarmine jars take their name from the grotesque face that appears on the neck. It was meant to represent Cardinal Bellarmine, one of the Roman Catholic leaders of the counter-reformation who may have been seen as a bogeyman in protestant England and Germany.

"It really sheds light on the way Staffordians thought during that period.

"Although we think the stopper has disappeared the jar was found upright and so some of the contents may survive."

The discovery was made by archaeologists from Oxford Archaeology, working for Staffordshire County Council.

The jar will form the centrepiece of an archaeological open day on October 25.