The Welkin

A young woman, Sally Poppy, has been convicted of the brutal murder of a child and sentenced to hang. However, she makes a claim that could save her life, saying she is pregnant. Under the law of the time, a pregnant woman cannot be executed until after giving birth. Consequently, ten local women are summoned to form a jury of matrons, whose responsibility is to establish whether Sally is telling the truth.

Among Lizzy Luke, the local midwife, becomes Sally's principal defender.
The twelve women are confined together to deliberate. What initially appears to be a straightforward medical investigation develops into a fierce confrontation involving class, religion, sexuality, motherhood, prejudice and power.

As tensions rise, the women reveal their own experiences, secrets, frustrations and conflicting beliefs. Outside, an angry mob demands justice, while inside, the women discover the uncomfortable responsibility of having authority over another woman's life.