The Essex Witch Museum

If you're referring to the witch of Scrapfaggot Green - the name refers to the place, not the person

We're looking forward to seeing @mercurytheatre.bsky.social's adaption of this book soon!

Whoops!

Today's the day! Our pop-up museum in the iconic Shire Hall in Chelmsford opens at 10am!

We'll be open 10am to 4pm, every day until Sunday 2nd November. Come along and learn about the witch trials in Essex 🖤

#SkyStorian #WitchSky #WitchTrials #HalfTerm #WitchesOfEssex

It's... a trick!

Elizabeth Lowys from Great Waltham was hung a year earlier, on 30th March 1565.

Elizabeth's story is often forgotten. At her trial on 21st July 1564, she was found guilty of causing 3 deaths but pled pregnancy. Her execution was delayed, and she was imprisoned for 8 months.

Agnes Waterhouse from Hatfield Peverel was hung on 29th July 1566. Was she the first person executed in England under the 'Witchcraft Act'?

#WitchesOfEssex #WitchTrial #TrickOrTreat

Blessed Mabon to all who celebrate 🍎🌰🍂

Blessed Lammas/Lughnasadh to those who celebrate 🍞🌾

"We are delighted to be announcing two world premieres, both written by alumni of our Mercury Playwrights programme, and both telling stories about Essex - past and present." - Natasha Rickman, Artistic Director

Bright solstice blessings to all who celebrate 🌞

#WitchSky #SummerSolstice #Midsummer #Litha

Medieval Historian Answers Google's Most Popular Questions About Witches! YouTube video by History Hit

#dreleanorjanega is my celebrity crush. Having her answer questions about #witches and #witchtrials just makes it even better. #historyhit

The Essex Witch Museum Midsummer Night’s Ball Starter Curried butternut soup (v) (ve) (df) (gf) Beetroot salmon gravlax, rocket and parmesan salad (gf) Cognac and balsamic chicken liver pâté, crostini, onion chutney Roasted red pepper, tomato and basil salad (v) (ve) (df) (gf)

The Essex Witch Museum Midsummer Night’s Ball Main Herb crusted pork loin, pork belly, dauphinoise potato, tender stem broccoli and a wild mushroom jus (gf) Salmon en papillote, new potatoes, samphire, green beans, lemon and butter sauce Halibut, pea and dill risotto (gf) Butternut, beetroot and Stilton tagliatelle, roasted tomato salad (v) (veo) (dfo) (gf)

The Essex Witch Museum Midsummer Night’s Ball Dessert Raspberry and White chocolate cheesecake (v) Lemon pie (v) (ve) (df) (gf) Pecan and amaretto tart (v) Banoffee choux bun, milk chocolate sauce (v) Allergen information can be found on our website: EssexWitchMuseum.co.uk/mnb25

Full ticket sales for our Midsummer Night's Ball end on Friday 13th June.

Full tickets for this fantasy formal themed fundraising event cost £70 to attend, and include a welcome drink and 3 course meal.

Learn more and buy tickets at EssexWitchMuseum.co.uk/mnb25

#WitchSky #SupportLocal #Midsummer

We have reached a milestone 1,000 followers

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this milestone in our journey - every follow helps us to show interest in the museum, and aids with grant applications so we can make the museum a reality.

#SkyStorian #EarlyModern #WitchSky #Museum

England is no longer part of the EU, and the UK Supreme Court has ruled that "sex" refers to "biological sex" under the equality act. This has repercussions for anyone who does not "present" their gender in a way that society sees as matching their genitals.

In Essex, around 80% of those persecuted were people living as women (defined in the court record by their marital status). This varies by region - in Iceland, around 90% were men. There are others who are 'unknown' such as "John als Jenny" tried in 1589.

Sadly, humanity has not learnt its lesson from this brutal period of history. Trans people are currently being persecuted and having their human rights stripped from them.

We need to stand together against this, and all witch-hunts. #TransRightsAreHumanRights

During the 16th to 18th centuries, there were over 900 indictments of witchcraft in Essex alone. Many of the accused were people who had been 'othered' - they lived outside of societal norms.

The Essex Witch Museum logo overlaid on the progress pride flag

STOP THE WITCH HUNTS

The Oxford Languages definition of Witch-Hunt is "a campaign directed against a person or group holding views considered unorthodox or a threat to society."

I guess the question is, do you think witchcraft is a religion with it's own deities, or is it a way of life? Some people may honour deities from various religions, but is this a requirement of witchcraft?

Do you think witchcraft is a religion, or a practice?

We'd love to know your opinion 🖤

#Witchcraft #WitchSky #Witch

Saying "I don't know" gives you the opportunity to learn

And believe we've found records listing her name as Margaret.

This is where you come in - are you able to visit the churchyard, find her grave, and see if her name is listed? Or if she's buried with/near William Coman and/or recorded as his wife?

(3/3)

Soon after she fell very ill and died. According to an account from the Reverand at the time, she was "buried upon the north side of the churchyard". Coggeshall Museum lists a grave of "Widow Coman" on the site.

We've been working to restore her identity

(2/3)

Suspected witch's grave in Coggeshall

We need your help! Do you live in/near Coggeshall, and can visit St Peter's Churchyard?

In 1699 a woman known as 'Widow Coman' was accused by her neighbours of being a witch, and was 'swum' in the river 3 times by a mob.

(1/3)

#Essex #Coggeshall #WitchGrave

Matthew Hopkins was mid-20s during his reign of terror - the Vincent Price film makes it seem like he was either much older, or aged poorly!

The people executed for witchcraft were hung, not burnt. Besides, we're nice these days... mostly.

Emma stands next to Pam Cox on the terrace of the House of Commons. The River Thames and London Eye can be seen in the background.

Emma takes a selfie in front of Big Ben, smiling at the camera

Towers of the Palace of Westminster

Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster

Emma was honoured to be invited to the House of Commons yesterday, attending the East of England APPG meeting discussing tourism in the region.

She met Pam Cox (Colchester MP), Marie Goldman (Chelmsford MP), among others.

#Essex #Suffolk #Norfolk #Bedfordshire #Cambridgeshire #Hertfordshire

never ever let someone tell you that libraries are neutral & apolitical (nor are museums, nor archives, nor art centres, nor histories..)

5 different caps are shown at each of the points of a pentagram. A black cap with gold thread reads Resting Witch Face. A dark grey cap with gold thread reads Son Of A Witch. A light blue cap with navy blue embroidered cauldron. A light pink cap with navy blue thread reads Basic Witch. A navy blue cap embroidered with a gold sun and moon design.

Buying our merch will help us to create a museum so you can visit us in person, and keep you cool during Hot Witch Summer 🌞

EssexWitchMuseum.co.uk

#WitchSky #Museum #Support