England's Bloodiest Witch Hunt: The East Anglia Witch Craze 1645–1647

This episode examines the East Anglian witch craze that occurred between 1645 and 1647 against the backdrop of the English Civil War. Central to these accounts is Matthew Hopkins, the self-titled Witchfinder General, who along with John Stearne orchestrated the investigation and execution of hundreds of individuals. The episode describes how political instability, religious extremism, and economic hardship created a climate of suspicion where vulnerable people, such as the disabled Elizabeth Clarke, were targeted. The records detail the pseudo-legal methods used to extract confessions, including sleep deprivation and the swimming test, alongside the high financial costs towns incurred to fund these hunts. Ultimately, the craze declined as central judicial authority was restored and critics began to challenge the theological and scientific legitimacy of the witchfinders' evidence. Read more about witches and witchcraft on the Histories and Castles website: https://historiesandcastles.com/blogs/witches Trial by Water: The Dark History of Witch Ducking and Other Ordeals The Witch’s Familiar: From Demonic Imps to Beloved Pets Witchcraft in the Middle Ages: Myths, Fears and Trials Witch Marks and Secret Symbols