New illustrated talk by Revd. John N. Merrill for 2020

“The Witches of Essex”

Essex is the Witch capital of England with more 330 witches hung in the 16th and 17th. centuries, in Colchester and elsewhere. John has spent several months researching and walking around Essex discovering their stories and what can be seen today. It is a fascinating talk of what happened in Essex more than 300 years ago. The self styled “Witchfinder General” Matthew Hopkins began his work in Manningtree, where more than 30 witches were sent for trail. You will learn about the Witches of St. Osyth and about Canwedon, the Witch Capital of Essex. See witches graves and where they were jailed before trail and hanging. See the pools where they had to endure “swimming” to ascertain whether they were a witch or not. See graves covered in metal straps so they couldn’t escape …. and much. much more