God, Greed and the Witchfinder General

As the English Civil War tore the nation apart, widespread social collapse and economic desperation opened the door to a darker terror. This podcast explores the terrifying East Anglia witch craze of 1645 to 1647, investigating the driving force behind the hysteria: was it genuine religious panic, or cold-hearted economic greed? Step back into a fractured landscape as we examine the reign of Matthew Hopkins (who styled himself the Witchfinder General) and his associate John Stearne as they hunted hundreds of victims. Hear the haunting story of Elizabeth Clarke, a vulnerable and disabled woman whose tragic interrogation and execution marked the grim beginning of Hopkins' campaign. Uncover how political instability and financial ruin created fertile ground for persecution, and discover the brutal methods, from sleep deprivation to the swim test, used to break the accused. Learn more at Histories and Castles: How many witches have been executed in the UK? Witchcraft in the Middle Ages: Myths, Fears and Trials Witches and Wichcarft Articles The Devil's Neighbours: Fear, Betrayal and the Witchfinder General