Show Notes
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.
Chapters
- 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
- Ben Paites
- Witchland by Marion Gibson
- Salem Witch-Hunt Facebook Page
- Salem Witch Trials History YouTube
- The Thing About the Salem Witch Trials
- Salem Witch Trials Daily
- The Thing About Witch Hunts
- High Quality Scans of Salem Witch Trials Records (Peabody Essex Museum Salem Witch Trials Collection)
- Bernard Rosenthal, ed., Records of the Salem Witch-Hunt