Petronella de Meath was the first woman in Ireland to be burned for heresy.
Petronella was the hand-maiden of Dame Alice Kyteler, the famous witch of Kilkenny. After the mysterious death of her four husbands and Alice being accused of heresy (belief or opinion contrary to orthodox religious doctrine), it was ordered that Alice be burned at the stake. Unfortunately for Petronella, Alice fled. This left a large, baying crowd standing outside Kilkenny City's Tholsel.
To satisfy the crowd, Petronella was made take Alice's place. She was burned alive and that would be the end of Petronella de Meath, the first woman in Ireland burned for heresy, a claim that should have fell to Dame Alice Kyteler.
To find out more about Alice, please click this link: Dame Alice Kyteler
Petronella de Meath
