EP34 - WITCH RESEARCHER AND CURATOR - Emma Wardall

Co-founder of Essex Witch Museum. Researcher, historian, marketing genius, and part of the creative force behind the project to bring Essex’s witch history to life. Everything Emma has ever done in her career is coming in useful on the journey to create a new museum. Adelle invents Witchipedia - let this be a permanent record. What is a ‘familiar’? It’s a demon in the form of an animal which will do their evil bidding. Like Satan the Cat/Toad/Dog. Who belonged to Agnes Waterhouse. Sent after a neighbour for not giving them any cheese. Witch trials happened on Tindal Square in Chelmsford. Essex was once known as Witch County because of the number of trials that took place - take that Salem! What is the difference between ‘the cunning folk’ and witches? How a German book ‘Malleus Maleficarum’ by Heinrich Kramer and the invention of the printing press spread witch spotting fever - reaching Essex. Hopefully the museum will help educate people so we don’t make the misogynistic mistakes of the past - museums are important for reflection. Persecutory words like ‘witch’ can be so loaded and powerful due to history. Some people accused of witchcraft were imprisoned in Colchester Castle awaiting trial. A lot of people living today could have been accused of witchcraft back in the day. Researching original documents is difficult, many are written in Latin with cursive script, but because the Essex Records Office holds so many detailed documents, it provides invaluable insights and records of the time. To date the Essex Witch Museum have researched and recorded 909 indictments in Essex. They need more volunteers to help look through the records. Nick also talks about smelling Brad Pitt. Adelle has been the face of Westfield for Trans Day of Visibility.Essex Witch MuseumEssex Witch Museum on IGAre You Creative? recorded by Adam at Lawker Media, Chelmsford, ESSEXEdited by Nick HearneArtwork by Alpaca AntennaDon't forget to like, subscribe, share and all the good stuff.Follow our Instagram for latest news and behind the scenes photos  Send comments, questions, or suggestions for fascinating creative people in Essex give us a shout on our Instagram Thanks to NGDA for their support