Centuries ago, fear and superstition led to bizarre and cruel witch trials, where the accused faced impossible tests—from floating in water to being weighed against Bibles — that often sealed their grim fate.
EPISODE BLOG PAGE (includes sources and full transcript):
https://weirddarkness.com/CondemnedAsAWitchFEATURED STORIES IN THIS EPISODE: We’ve all heard of the Salem Witch Trials – but accusations of witchcraft took place everywhere, not just Massachusetts. But who were these individuals, and were they guilty of what they were convicted of and killed for? (People Killed As Witches) *** Of course, not all those charged with witchcraft died in the 1600s during the witch trial mania – some died much much later, like the 21st century. Yes, it still happens even today. (Modern Witch Killings) *** The ways witches were tested during the mass hysteria of the witch trials resulted in some bizarre and cruel ways to determine if someone was a witch. And I’d bet most all of us would be deemed witches if forced to take the tests today. (How To Test a Witch) *** But before we get into the people who were accused, the tactics used to test them or make them confess, and how many of them were killed, we’ll look at some of the misconceptions of the Salem Witch Trials that you probably think are true. (Salem Witch Trial Misconceptions)
CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…
00:00:00.000 = The Foreboding
00:01:00.501 = Show Open
00:03:00.571 = Salem Witch Trial Misconceptions
00:11:28.154 = People Killed As Witches ***
00:26:21.262 = How To Test a Witch
00:35:31.660 = Modern Witch Killings ***
00:47:41.080 = Show Close
*** = Begins immediately after inserted ad break
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SOURCES and RESOURCES:
“Witch’s Brew” poem:
https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/n7p3j8us“Salem Witch Trial Misconceptions” by Tamar Altebarmakian for Weird History:
https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/57ah3yw5“How To Test a Witch” by Tamar Altebarmakian for Ranker’s Witchcraft:
https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/34vsfs9r“People Killed As Witches” by Laura Allan for Ranker’s History:
https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/3pejpv5c“Modern Witch Killings” by Greg Beneven for Ranker’s History:
https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/rafzhksz(Over time links may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)
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Originally aired: March 04, 2023
