The Newcastle Witches

06/07/2023

We hope you've enjoyed listening to the final Episode of the podcast.
We have a question for you all... would you like another podcast about the history of Newcastle?!

22/06/2023

The final episode of the Newcastle Witches Podcast is here. Many thanks to Katie Liddane and David Silk for helping to wrap up this story. Thank you to everyone for joining us on this journey.

The witch trials and ex*****on in Newcastle represent a dark and tumultuous time in our city's history, and one that many people wanted to forget and cover up. However we feel very strongly that such events should be remembered, commemorated and taught to future generations.

Witch trials are a reminder of what happens when fear, trauma and extremism (in politics and religion) take hold of society. They encourage us to look at biases and prejudices in our own lives and how that impacts our place in our community. Moreover, they call us to a place of courage, to stand up for people who are persecuted and protect others from injustices.

As always, you can listen for free wherever you get your podcasts

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5VuoPtiq4tV4c5n3okzNNL?si=7b49eaba08fc499d

01/06/2023

Episode 14 comes out today!

Maria and Katie discuss why the witch trials are so poorly documented and seemingly forgotten. There were many contributing factors, including a government coverup, the affect of industrialisation and the enlightenment.

It's free to listen to wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple, Google and Spotify.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/11YHpRhM5bs4nLuYZLZlq0?si=78c35ac656c94cb8

23/05/2023

We're about to record our final episode! We would love to hear any lingering questions you have about the Newcastle Witches and the trials. Post your questions in the comments or DM us!

04/05/2023

Episode 13 is out! "They Live Among Us" features Michelle Brock, an associate professor from Washington and Lee University in Virginia. She is a scholar of religion and the supernatural and has published extensively on the topics.
In this episode we talk to her about contemporary uses of the word 'Witch' and 'Witch trials'. We also discuss the importance of studying the history of witch trials in particular to better understand our own society.

Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts!
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0fhb7ynfRMyGxH2XEkzbAJ...

20/04/2023

Our latest episode, Ann Armstrong: Witchfinder General delves into another witch trial in Northumberland, just outside of Newcastle. Ann Armstrong was a servant girl who accused numerous people of witchcraft and holding sabbaths. Her testimony was backed up by men who said their livestock was harmed by witchcraft. So what happened to Ann and why would she accuse so many people of witchcraft? We go through the case with Katie Liddane.

Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2KaYBuvxnyifXOhw9ZihXx?si=381462e8953245cf

30/03/2023

Episode 11 is out! "The Curious Case of Mary Moore" is an intriguing tale of privilege, witchcraft, family feuds and horrifying visions. We're joined by Katie Liddane to talk through a pamphlet published by Mary Moore, a woman in Northumberland, who accused people of making her children sick. At the end of this tragic tale, of the four people accused of witchcraft, three would die either in prison or on the gallows in Newcastle in 1650.

Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3xDQoXzy5ksLxmWMYlyBaG?si=12dfd57013884f33

09/03/2023

Why were the witches buried in a church yard in the centre of Newcastle, and what does that tell us about religious and political beliefs at the time? In episode 10 we chat to Professor Alec Ryrie of Durham University to learn more about puritanism in 1650's Newcastle and why and how the witches were buried.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0tnartCOPTi1jCkRSSRjEB?si=To22wiBaTDCNiAe7CAiGBg

08/03/2023

Episode 10 comes out tomorrow!
We're joined by Professor Ryrie of Durham University. We discuss about how puritan beliefs shaped, not just life in Newcastle at the time, but also legal structures and the eventual ex*****on and burial place of the witches.

24/02/2023

We've reached 5000 downloads! Thank you so much to all our listeners across the world! We're incredibly passionate about sharing this story and shining a light on this injustice. Thank you for being with us on this journey!

09/02/2023

Episode 9: Torture and Confession is out now.

We are joined again by historian David Silk to discuss how the Witches faced a trial by jury, the conditions of the prison they were kept in and their eventual tragic ex*****on on the town moor.

Listen for free wherever you get your podcasts:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4WGoIzCNnSaK54RvuY6kLp?si=fc99b368f3114fa5

Anchor: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/ow4wXMC4gxb

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-newcastle-witches/id1632413600

01/02/2023

New year... New episodes to record... ☺️

12/01/2023

Episode 8 is out now! "Portrait of Witch" with Professor Marion Gibson delves into the lives of some of the people convicted of witchcraft in the Newcastle trials of 1649/1650.

This episode was brought to you by the Tyneside Cinema "Ghosts of England" season.

Listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts!
Anchor: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/HKcB44xwwwb

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3NO1BgbTKdk9TxWCLbf1Ia?si=3ZpBKhAzSEmAprifrnGkkA

09/01/2023

What are you reading at the moment? Here are some witch themed books we got for Christmas!

14/12/2022

Episode 7 is out! We're once again joined by Professor Diane Purkiss to talk about 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.

You can listen to the episode wherever you get your podcasts!
Anchor: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/OmnNgjkCKvb

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3MbEkX3lkkRZv66srerel7?si=203f6e074d984218

24/11/2022

We just want to say a very big THANK YOU to all our listeners! Our last episode 'Portrait of a Witch' had more plays or downloads in a 48 hour period than any of our episodes so far.

When we first started working on this podcast, a lot of well meaning people told us that few people would be interested in this story. So thank you to everyone who has listened so far and to everyone who continues to support us!

If you haven't listened to 'Portrait of a Witch, Part 1,' you can do so here:

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

17/11/2022

Episode 6 is out now!

Join us as we talk to Professor Diane Purkiss to discuss imagery around witches and witchcraft. We look at why witches are often depicted as ugly, deformed and old, and how age might have played a part in the fate of the Newcastle Witches.

Anchor: https://anchor.fm/the-newcastle-witches
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0c1jchqi6gIxv4XLLEgh01