Which Witch was the Last Witch?
Conjuring Curiosities · Clara Herbert
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Show Notes
Grab your ouija board and broomstick (and also some cheesecloth) and join us as we discuss the bewitching tale of Scotland’s last witch! Hear about the spellbinding events that led to Helen Duncan’s infamous trial in the 1940s. And yes, you read that right. Witch trials in the 20th century! Turns out, there was a medium whose séances attracted the ire of the British government. Was she really summoning spirits or just pulling one over on her audience? Either way, the authorities weren’t having it and slapped her with a charge of witchcraft. We’ll also explore how this case led to the repeal of Britain’s witchcraft laws. About time, right?
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SOURCES:
Military Times - Witches be crazy: How one WWII ship led to the UK’s last witch trial
History Extra - Conjuring up the dead: Helen Duncan and her ectoplasm spirits
Mercat Tours - Scotland's Last Witch: Helen Duncan
Wikipedia - Witchcraft Act 1735
Wikipedia - Jane Rebecca Yorke
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