Bloody Britain (2004): S01E06 – The Witchfinder General

Introduction History Documentary hosted by Rory McGrath, published by Discovery Channel in 2004. Outline Rory McGrath finds out about the savage witch-hunts of the 1640s, learning how to test for a witch and how to protect himself from witchcraft. The largest witch-hunt in English history was held between 1645 and 1647, led by the self-appointed…

Andrew Marshall

15/04/2024

1–2 minutes

History, Military Documentary, Rebellion

Introduction

History Documentary hosted by Rory McGrath, published by Discovery Channel in 2004.

Outline

Rory McGrath finds out about the savage witch-hunts of the 1640s, learning how to test for a witch and how to protect himself from witchcraft.

The largest witch-hunt in English history was held between 1645 and 1647, led by the self-appointed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins. Hopkins was a failed lawyer with no real legal qualifications, who made it his mission to rid East Anglia of witches. Witch-hunting really took off in England after Henry VIII passed a statute against witchcraft in 1542. Over the next 200 years, around 1000 people, mostly women, were hanged for practising witchcraft. Across the border in Scotland, they were even more witch-hunt crazy, finding 4000 witches guilty. Unlike their English cousins, these unfortunates were burnt at the stake.

Bloody Britain Series

You can find a full index and overview of Bloody Britain here.

Production & Filming Details

Release Date: 05 April 2004.
Running time: 30 minutes.
Rating: Unknown.
Country: UK.
Language: English.