Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.3 - GENDER AND WITCHCRAFT

Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.3 - GENDER AND WITCHCRAFT

Author: Mark Norman July 8, 2025 Duration: 38:32

The third episode of our mini-series looking at the witch hunts headed up by Matthew Hopkins and John Stearne looks at the most stereotypical of subjects - that of gender. Just how many of the accused were women and how did gender figure in the hunts and the ways in which they were carried out?

The Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast series is produced by The Folklore Podcast, and host Mark Norman is in conversation with Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore.

The Seven County Witch Hunt Project was based at the University of Exeter, and funded by the Leverhulme Trust.


Mark Norman hosts The Folklore Podcast, a series that digs into the stories, customs, and beliefs passed down through generations across the globe. This isn't just about fairy tales; it's an exploration of how folklore shapes our identities, communities, and understanding of the world, touching on history, culture, and even spirituality. The podcast stands out for its direct conversations with researchers, authors, and other specialists, making deep scholarship accessible to everyone. You'll hear specific episodes examining everything from local legends and seasonal rituals to the deeper symbolic meanings behind familiar traditions. The show's consistent quality and engaging approach have placed it among the most listened-to podcasts internationally. Each episode offers a chance to step into a different cultural landscape, understanding the human experiences behind the myths. Tune in to this documentary-style podcast for thoughtful, well-researched discussions that connect ancient patterns to modern life, all presented in a clear and compelling way by a host deeply embedded in the subject.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Folklore Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.6 - ARCHIVE HIGHLIGHTS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:56
The Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast mini-series collaboration comes to a close. In this final episode, Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore once again join folklorist and author Mark Norman to discuss…
Folklore in the Field - MEDICAL HERBALISM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:36
Mark Norman is in conversation with medical herbalist Jenny Carden, who practices as The Dartmoor Herbalist.In an interview recorded live in Jenny's workshop in the courtyard of the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton,…
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.5 - ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE AND WITCH TRIALS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:05
Our six part mini-series examining the seventeenth-century witch hunts across the eastern counties of England continues with a discussion looking at a topic not generally explored in this context: the environment.Profess…
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.4 - WITCH FAMILIES AND GHOST FAMILIARS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:27
In this episode, Professor Marion Gibson and Dr Tabitha Stanmore turn their attention to the families involved in the witch hunts. Were all family members tarred with the same brush? How did dynamics work when families w…
Folklore in the Field - FOLK HORROR with Prof Bob Edgar [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:32
In this mini-episode of The Folklore Podcast, recorded live at the UK Ghost Story Festival 2025 in Derby, UK, I chat with Professor Bob Edgar about the theme of Folk Horror.With specialisms in scriptwriting, adaptation,…
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.2 - WHAT WERE 'WITCHES' ACCUSED OF [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:09
In the second episode of the Seven County Witch Hunt Project podcast mini-series, we look at the accusations that were being levelled against people accused of witchcraft in the English witch hunts of the 17th century. W…
Episode 175 - SCOTTISH FOLKLORE [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:07
Scotland has a broad mix of folklore. Some is found elsewhere, or has variations in other areas, and some is unique to the country. Some is well-known and some is much more obscure.In this episode of The Folklore Podcast…
Seven County Witch Hunts Ep.1 - METHODS AND STORIES [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:13
In the years 1645–1647, when England was embroiled in a traumatic and bloody Civil War, roughly three hundred people in the South East were accused of witchcraft. Received wisdom — and some shameless self-promotion on th…
Episode 174 - FOLKLORE AND HERBALISM [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:00
This episode of The Folklore Podcast is an interview of two halves, as host Mark Norman sits down to chat with herbalist and writer Su Bristow.In an interview recorded live at Su's dining table, the first half of the sho…
A History of Paganism: Folklore Podcast Rewind with Liz Williams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:26
Award winning author, historian and occultist Liz Williams discusses her book 'Miracles of our own Making: A History of Paganism', published by Reaktion Books.The interview takes in the history of paganism and Liz's work…