'Witchmarks' found inside 17th century house

New evidence has been found to suggest that paranoia ran high in the aristocratic world of 17th century Britain following the infamous attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the House of Lords in 1605.

Archaeologists investigating Knole, a 17th century house to which King James I was due to visit shortly after the incident, discovered a series of 'witchmarks' etched in to the wooden floorboards that appear to have been intended as a ward to protect the monarch from evil spirits.

"King James I had a keen interest in witchcraft and passed a witchcraft law, making it an offence punishable by death and even wrote a book on the topic," said archaeologist James Wright.

"These marks illustrate how fear governed the everyday lives of people living through the tumultuous years of the early 17th century."

Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot would later become the influence behind the annual bonfire and firework celebrations that are still held in the UK on November 5th each year.

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