The Newcastle Witches

In our final episode, we reflect on things we've learned during the making of the podcast and answer audience questions. As always, many thanks to everyone who has supported the production of this podcast, and to our dedicated listeners.

How does the largest execution of witches in England just fade from memory? Why are there so few records of the Newcastle Witches? We speak with Katie Liddane once again, to discuss why Newcastle didn't want to preserve this episode in the city's history.

In this episode we talk to Michelle Brock about contemporary uses of the word 'Witch' and 'Witchtrials'. We also discuss the importance of studying history and the history of witch trials in particular to better understand our own society.

In this episode we discuss accusations made by Ann Armstrong against numerous people in Northumberland in 1673. Ann's testimony is famous for her detailed account of a Witches Sabbath involving local men and women from local villages.

Mary Moore wrote and published a pamphlet accusing a group of witches in Northumberland of causing her children to fall ill and encounter demons. Three out of the four witches accused would either die in jail awaiting a trial for witchcraft, or be executed in 1650 in Newcastle. We're joined by Katie Liddane who helps us go through the pamphlet and understand it's repercussions. This episode is dedicated to Jane Martin.

The witches of Newcastle were buried in the cemetery of a church in the centre of Newcastle. In this episode we speak to Professor Ryrie of Durham University about how puritan beliefs shaped, not just life in Newcastle at the time, but also legal structures and the eventual execution and burial place of the witches. 

Historian David Silk talks us through the trial, imprisonment and execution of the Newcastle witches.

In this episode we interview Professor Marion Gibson, as we try to unearth information about the people convicted in the Newcastle Witch Trials.

We're joined again by Professor Diane Purkiss to dig a little deeper into what physical attributes a witch must have. This episode looks closely at the image of a woman as a mother and provider, and how the expectation that women could and should only be mothers may have let to some being accused of witchcraft. 

In this episode we speak with Diane Purkiss about the portrayal of witches and where those stereotypes come from. 

In this episode we discuss the tale of The Wallsend Witches and the accused witch Janet Pereson of Wallsend and the accusations against her. Was Janet one of the inspirations for the tale of the Wallsend Witches? What was the connection between the The Wallsend Witches and The Delaval family? We also cover fairy lore and how it crosses over into tales and accusations of witchcraft! Additionally, we also briefly chat about the invention of roller skates in the Victorian Era...

In this episode, we discuss the notorious Scottish Witch Pricker and who they may have been with Katie Liddane. We also talk about what a Witch Pricker is, various witch prickers in Scotland in the 17th Century, why people want to know the identity of the witch pricker so badly and why their name has seemingly been lost from the records. 

Join us for part 2 of David's Silk's episode about Newcastle in the 17th Century! This episode focuses on the impact of the Civil War on 17th century Newcastle (The Siege of Newcastle) and the impact it would've had on the Witch Trials in 1649 - 1650. 

Join us for our 3rd episode where we talk to David Silk from Newcastle Castle! In part 1 of this episode David leads us through the plague in Newcastle in the 17th century, the scold's bridle and introduces us to Ralph Gardiner, the man who wrote down the only account of the Newcastle Witch Trials and his motivations for doing so! 

Welcome back to the Newcastle Witches Podcast, we are joined by Dr Tabitha Stanmore who is going to talk to us all about magic in the 17th century, the practices and beliefs! What was it that people thought Witches did that was so terrible? What did they think the victims of the Witch Trials were doing?

Note: This episode was recorded over Zoom, we apologise for any noises or inconsistencies in audio!

Joined by Dr Jo Bath, Maria and Caitlin dive into the Newcastle Witch Trials of 1649-1650 while exploring the victims of the trials, a brief history of Newcastle at the time and other Northern Witchcraft.

Welcome to the Newcastle Witches Podcast!

Here is our introduction which covers the: who, what, why and when of our investigation into the Newcastle Witch Trials and our reasons for creating this podcast.