George Lunkins

Dubbed the "Yatton Demoniac" by the British press, George Lukins claimed to be possessed by seven demons that could only be removed by seven priests. His subsequent exorcism became one of the most infamous accounts of the 18th century.

Lukins' condition was first noticed when a woman named Sarah Barber sent a letter to a local priest begging him to come have a look at her childhood friend. For the past 18 years, the letter said, Lukins had slowly deteriorated both mentally and physically, often breaking down into seizures and growling at the people around him. As the years went on, the fits got worse and took on a supernatural tone: "He declares in a roaring voice that he is the devil, who with many horrid execrations summons about him certain persons devoted to his will, and commands them to torture this unhappy patient with all the diabolical means in their power."

On June 13, 1778, seven priests were rounded up and began a lengthy exorcism at the Temple Church in Bristol, England. As the priests opened the exorcism by singing hymns, George Lukins fell into a violent fit, barking and hissing at the men before shouting that his "torment of George Lukins would be a thousand times worse" for trying such a stupid thing as an exorcism. Following that outburst, Lukins cycled through seven demonic personalities, at the end of which he yelled that he was the devil himself. In the end, according to the account, the demons were sent back to hell.