The WW2 Witch Trial of Hellish Nell

The WW2 Witch Trial of Hellish Nell

What made a working class woman from Edinburgh become such a threat to British intelligence services during the Second World War, that they tried her as a witch?


In today's episode, we're telling you the story of Helen Duncan, aka Hellish Brown, a medium who lays claim to being the last woman in England to be tried as a witch, culminating in her trial in 1944 under the 1735 Witchcraft Act.


Joining us is Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail where all sorts of paranormal events take place.


What made Duncan's performances so memorable? Why did her trial capture the public's imagination? And how does the 1735 Witchcraft Act live on today?


Let's go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.


This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.


world-renowned historians from History Hit. Watch them on your smart TV or on the go with your mobile device. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code DANSNOW sign up now for your 14-day free trial.


We'd love to hear from you! You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.


You can take part in our listener survey here.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episoder(1485)

A History of Christmas Food

A History of Christmas Food

Porpoises, beaver tails, boar's head and puffins were just some of the exquisite dishes on medieval tables during the festive season. In this episode, food historian Annie Gray joins Dan in his kitche...

18 Des 202531min

The Origins of the Royal Navy

The Origins of the Royal Navy

Henry VIII wanted to have the most powerful Navy in Europe; he also didn't want to have to travel very far to get it. Around 1512, he built a colossal Naval dockyard on the southern banks of the Thame...

15 Des 202542min

How America Invaded Canada

How America Invaded Canada

Dan narrates the remarkable story of how George Washington's newly established Continental Army tried to conquer Canada in the brutal winter of 1775. The American Revolutionary forces believed their n...

11 Des 20251h 5min

The Bombing of Guernica

The Bombing of Guernica

The aerial bombardment that rained down on the Spanish city of Guernica in 1937 was one of the most shocking atrocities of the Spanish Civil War. Dan and David Brydan - historian of Modern Spain at Ki...

8 Des 202529min

Sitting Bull and the Battle of Little Bighorn

Sitting Bull and the Battle of Little Bighorn

The Battle of the Little Bighorn - also known as the Battle of the Greasy Grass - was one of the most dramatic and important clashes in American history. In June 1876, on the rolling plains of Montana...

4 Des 202553min

How to Survive the Age of Sail

How to Survive the Age of Sail

What was life really like aboard the great wooden ships of the Age of Sail? Dan joins After Dark hosts Anthony and Maddy to step aboard these creaking vessels and uncover who served at sea, what drove...

1 Des 202538min

The Assassination of JFK

The Assassination of JFK

Anyone alive at the time remembers the day President John F. Kennedy was shot dead in Dallas, Texas, on November 22 1963. In this episode, Dan provides a moment-by-moment account of the day that shock...

27 Nov 202527min

John F. Kennedy: Myths vs Reality

John F. Kennedy: Myths vs Reality

John F. Kennedy was a man of charm, power, and contradictions. Behind the public image of the heroic president lay a figure plagued by pain, haunted by his past, and driven by desire.Dan is joined by ...

24 Nov 202543min

Populært innen Historie

rss-dette-ma-aldri-skje-igjen
henrettelsespodden
rss-historiske-romanser
rss-katastrofe
historier-som-endret-norge
rss-nadelose-nordmenn-gestapo
sektledere
rss-benadet
historier-som-endret-verden
aftenposten-historie
rss-frontkjemperne
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
rss-gamle-greier
med-egne-oyne
vare-historier
sannhet-eller-konspirasjon
historiepodden-ww2
undersattene
rss-alt-var-bedre-for
rss-historiepodden-ww2