This week on Wyrd Wessex, we're taking a deep dive into the magical history of the south of England and exploring its most notorious witches. From ancient folk tales and brutal witch trials to the secret origins of modern witchcraft, join us on a journey through the region's mysterious past.
- Folktales and Shapeshifters: We start with the old stories—tales of witches who could turn into hares and greyhounds, curse farmers with fleas, and mess with horses' manes. We even uncover a story from a village right here in Wessex.
- The Witch Trials: We explore the grim history of the witch trials, from the publication of the Malleus Maleficarumin 1486 to the final hangings in England. We delve into the Malmesbury Coven and the harrowing tale of the Biddeford Witches, the last to be executed for witchcraft in England.
- The Cunning Folk: Not all magical practitioners were feared. We meet the cunning folk, wise people who offered charms, remedies, and divination while navigating a fine line between folk magic and heresy. We tell the stories of Anne Boddenham and John Lamb, a cunning man who was stoned to death by an angry mob.
- Modern Witches: We travel to Christchurch to uncover the true origins of modern witchcraft and the figures who inspired Gerald Gardner. We also discuss the secretive history of the New Forest Coven, the establishment of the Museum of Witchcraft, and the story of Sybil Leek, Britain's most famous witch.
- Weird News: We've got a bumper crop of weird news, including an old man in India claimed to be 188 years old, a big cat lair discovered in a metal pipe in Cheshire, and an update on big cat sightings in the UK.
Stay Wyrd!
www.wyrdwessex.co.uk
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Written by Emma Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy Stevens
Edited by Craig Brooks
Intro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie)
Sources:
Cunning man’s handbook by Jim baker
In search of the new forest coven by Phillip Heselton
Natural magic by Doreen valiente
Witchcraft today by Gerald Gardner
The Triumph of the Moon by Ronal Hutton
Wiltshire folk tales by Kirsty Hartsiotis
Wiltshire Folklore by Kathleen Wiltshire
Legends & Folklore - Wiltshire by R. S. Holland
The Folklore Wiltshire by Ralph Whitlock
Cecil Williamson's book of Witchcraft by Steve Patterson
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