Let's Talk about the Colchester Museums and the Essex Witch Trials with Ben Paites

We travel to Colchester, England, the first Roman capital of Britain, to get a taste of the history of Colchester Castle, including its role in the Seven County Witch Trials led by “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins from 1645 to 1647.  Ben Paites, senior curator of Colchester Museums, tells us how the museums confront the witch trials and other history of the long-inhabited castle with artifacts, community collaboration, and interpretation. We discuss the importance of highlighting the humanity of those who really suffered due to witchcraft accusations.  Ben guides us through the museum, telling us about objects like witch bottles and a ducking stool. He also traces Colchester’s deep past from the Bronze Age to Roman industry, highlights local witch trial cases and victims such as Elizabeth Clarke, Anne and Rebecca West, and Ursula Kemp, and previews upcoming jail-cell redevelopment. 00:00 Welcome to Colchester 01:12 Meet Curator Ben 03:00 Colchester Through Ages 07:24 Inside Castle Museums 09:19 Artifacts Tell Stories 11:37 Wicked Spirits Exhibit 15:24 Witch Bottles and Tests 19:55 Matthew Hopkins Arrives 23:28 Touring Cells and Vaults 26:53 Local Accused and Victims 36:24 Pamphlets and Familiars 41:30 Visit and Future Plans 43:43 Where to Follow Ben 45:27 Closing Thoughts  Links: Colchester Museums: https://colchester.cimuseums.org.uk/ Ben Paites: https://www.benpaites.uk/ Witchland by Marion Gibson: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781668206539 Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/salemwitchhunt Salem Witch Trials History YouTube: https://youtube.com/@aboutwitchhunts The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials: https://aboutsalem.com Salem Witch Trials Daily: https://aboutsalem.com/salem-witch-trials-daily/ The Thing About Witch Hunts: https://aboutwitchhunts.com High Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection): https://pem.quartexcollections.com/collections/salem-witch-trials-collection Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt: https://bookshop.org/a/90227/9781107689619