Join your host Eri Berry on the third and final part of this October special where we will meet the infamous Matthew Hopkins and try to uncover the truth behind the title of Witch-Finder General. This era of English history is set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, and along the way, we'll meet magic-obsessed monarchs, dubious court officials, and of course, we will try our best to separate fact from fiction. This episode is dedicated to all victims of witchcraft persecution worldwide, as tragically, it is not confined to the history books.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:46 A quick recap…

00:01:49 James I

00:05:45 Charles I

00:08:02 The English Civil War kicks off

00:12:53 Matthew Hopkins

00:15:55 Elizabeth Clarke

00:21:16 The Chelmsford Assizes

00:23:20 Contemporary critics

00:27:00 How does this chapter end?

00:29:18 A tribute to those accused of witchcraft

00:30:15 The full list of names

00:37:59 Credits

Images and Sources:

For full attribution, please click here for the show notes.

DISCLAIMER:

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Key Names and Places:

Matthew Hopkins, Elizabeth Clarke, Chelmsford, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, Ursley Kempe, St Osyth, John Stearne, John Gaule, James I, Charles I.

This October, join your host Eri Berry for a three-part deep-dive into the truth behind the Essex witch trials. In this second part, we'll search for the truth surrounding the controversial work of magistrate Brian Darcy and the fourteen women he investigated for witchcraft in the village of St Osyth and beyond. CONTENT WARNING: Contains discussions of infant death and child mortality within historical contexts - this episode may not be suitable for all listeners.

Time stamps:

00:00:00 Intro

00:00:29 St Osyth context

00:04:26 The first accuser

00:12:31 The second accuser

00:14:24 Brian Darcy

00:18:53 The accusations spread

00:20:23 The aftermath

00:22:20 Thanks for listening

00:23:18 Credits

Click here for the show notes and image attribution!

DISCLAIMER:

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Find more Unexpected Essex short form content on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

This October, join your host Eri Berry for a three-part deep-dive into the truth behind the Essex witch trials. In this first part, we'll uncover the wider historical context to better understand how we ended up with anti-witchcraft legislation in the first place, as well as identifying likely candidates for the first women executed under these questionable pieces of statute.

Click here for the show-notes, including image attribution.

Follow Unexpected Essex on social media!

TikTok, Instagram, Facebook.

DISCLAIMER:

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:21 - Context for the episode

00:01:57 - The Origins of Magic

00:06:38 - The Early Modern Era and how Henry VIII caused religious chaos…

00:10:04 - The Religious Pendulum begins to swing…

00:13:46 - Elizabeth I takes the throne

00:14:53 - Essex begins its witch trials

00:22:37 - Next time, and thank you!

00:23:15 - Credits

Key Names and Places:

Essex, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Lady Jane Grey, Great Waltham, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel.