Podcasts about Helen Duncan

In this second episode of our Witches, Cunning Folk & Magic theme, I'm talking to Willow Winsham, an author and historian specialising in folklore, and the history of the English witch trials. Her books include the highly popular Treasury of Folklore series from Batsford Books, and Accused: British Witches Throughout History from Pen and Sword Books. Her passion for uncovering fascinating topics and dedication to impeccable research guarantees an accessible and engaging read, whatever the subject. Willow is also co-founder of #FolkloreThursday, the popular website and social media phenomenon dedicated to sharing folklore, fairytales and traditions from across the globe. When not writing, Willow spends her time crocheting, delving into family history research, and indulging an ever-growing board game habit. She lives in Derbyshire with her three children and two British Shorthair cats. In this chat, we talk about how witches appear in history, why there is such an ongoing fascination with the witch, and Helen Duncan, the last woman tried under the 1735 Witchcraft Act! Order The Story of Witches: Folklore, History and Superstition: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/12992/9781849949064 Find Willow on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/willowwinsham.bsky.social Get your free guide to home protection the folklore way here: https://www.icysedgwick.com/fab-folklore/ Become a member of the Fabulous Folklore Family for bonus episodes and articles at https://patreon.com/bePatron?u=2380595 Buy Icy a coffee or sign up for bonus episodes at: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick Fabulous Folklore Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/fabulous_folklore Pre-recorded illustrated talks: https://ko-fi.com/icysedgwick/shop Request an episode: https://forms.gle/gqG7xQNLfbMg1mDv7 Get extra snippets of folklore on Instagram at https://instagram.com/icysedgwick Find Icy on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/icysedgwick.bsky.social 'Like' Fabulous Folklore on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fabulousfolklore/

This week, while Sarah's living it up in New York City, Adell is kicking off May by celebrating some serious bad seeds. In honor of the month that honors mothers, we're turning the spotlight on five women who were anything but traditional: the tormented Anneliese Michel, the mischievous Fox Sisters, the accused of the Salem Witch Trials, the rebel spirit Lilith, and Scotland's last witch, Helen Duncan. From possession to séances to legends that refused to die, these bad mama jamas shook history — and we're here for every haunted minute of it.

Send us a textThe Helen Duncan seances at Portsmouth during WW2, allegedly called the spirit of a sailor who died aboard the HMS Barham which had been lost with almost 900 onboard.  The spirit sailor told Duncan of the loss. It was top secret and nobody was supposed to have knowledge of it, so was this proof that spirits called at the séance were genuine? Well of course not,  but other documentaries on the subject were coy about telling the story suggesting or hinting that it may be the case that it was a spirit. I found this ambiguity rather annoying and wanted to get to the truth of the case. So I made this podcast based on the court papers.

They look like lost children… until you see their eyes — and realize you've just opened the door to something inhuman.Darkness Syndicate members get the ad-free version of #WeirdDarkness: https://weirddarkness.com/syndicateIN THIS EPISODE: Described as childlike beings with eerie coal black eyes, no iris or pupils, and pale, white skin, a scourge of mysterious black-eyed children have been reported all over the world. There are hundreds of reports of black-eyed children, often seen in groups of two or more, who ask for permission to enter the person's home or vehicle. Witnesses often report an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair in their presence. What the black-eyed children seek is not known… nor is it known exactly what they are. (Invasion Of The Black Eyed Kids) *** In October of 1943, a U.S. Navy destroyer was supposedly turned invisible and teleported from Philadelphia to Norfolk. But did it really happen? (The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment) *** The Witchcraft Act of 1735 ended the gruesome practice of burning witches at the stake, making it illegal to accuse anyone of having magical powers. Yet in 1944, Helen Duncan was convicted under this very law for fraudulent spiritual activities. Despite her claims of contacting spirits through ectoplasm and even revealing classified naval secrets, she was sentenced to prison. Her trial was one of the last times the Witchcraft Act was used before being replaced in 1951, but her supporters continue to campaign for her pardon. (Britain's Last Witch) *** Once a powerful festival, Dies Sanguinis, or "Day of Blood," honored the Roman goddess of war, Bellona, with animal sacrifices and martial rituals. The festival showcased Rome's military strength and dedication to victory. Although the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire eventually ended the festival, its legacy still sheds light on the fascinating nature of ancient Roman culture. (Rome's Day of the Bloody Sacrifice) *** The Dardeen family was found brutally murdered in their home near Ina, Illinois, leaving residents and investigators stumped. Yet even after a confession by Tommy Lynn Sells, the truth is still a mystery. (Demise of the Dardeen Family)CHAPTERS & TIME STAMPS (All Times Approximate)…00:00.00.000 = Disclaimer and First BEK Encounter00:03:50.799 = Show Open (Coming Up In This Episode)00:06:51.804 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 1)00:15:53.122 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 2)00:34:54.182 = Demise of the Dardeen Family00:54:52.543 = The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment01:00:27.794 = Britain's Last Witch01:09:16.456 = Rome's Day of Bloody Sacrifice01:12:49.994 = Show Close, Verse, and Final ThoughtSOURCES AND RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE…BOOK: “The Black-Eyed Kids” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3Tniri9BOOK: “The Chilling True Terror of the Black Eyed Kids Monster Compilation” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3R8eTi7BOOK: “The Case For The UFO” by M.K. Jessup: https://amzn.to/3JRDwxzMORE BEK EPISODES: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/8kn9fpe9, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n, https://weirddarkness.com/let-us-in/“Invasion Of The Black-Eyed Kids” sources: Anomalien, https://bit.ly/3WszSln, https://bit.ly/3WtCGhV,https://bit.ly/3Ww4ySw, https://bit.ly/44uJb6j; The Business Standard, https://bit.ly/3yhWESI“Demise of the Dardeen Family” source: Wikipedia, https://bit.ly/3WqgHbQ“The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment” source: Katie Serena at AllThatsInteresting.com, https://bit.ly/3JRDi9H“Britain's Last Witch” source: AmusingPlanet.com, https://bit.ly/3UzX7Hk; History Extra, https://bit.ly/3JQez5x: The National, https://bit.ly/3UzgDUs“Rome's Day of the Bloody Sacrifice” source: Ancient Origins, https://bit.ly/3WtCzTx; Tales Beyond Belief, https://bit.ly/3URoQ6T; Journal Of Cognitive Historiography, https://doi.org/10.1558/jch.39915; Roger Pearse, https://bit.ly/3wrydBS; Academia.edu, https://bit.ly/3JREmKJ=====(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2025, Weird Darkness.=====Originally aired: May 08, 2024EPISODE PAGE at WeirdDarkness.com (includes list of sources): https://weirddarkness.com/DoNotLetThemIn

For centuries, magic and warfare have been deeply intertwined, shaping military strategy, morale, and even battlefield outcomes. From Mesopotamian divination and Greek war omens to medieval sacred warfare and modern occult operations, supernatural beliefs have influenced how wars are fought and won. In this episode, we explore the forgotten history of magical warfare, revealing how esoteric traditions have been used to protect warriors, disrupt enemies, and even alter the course of history.Did John Dee's Enochian magic help defeat the Spanish Armada? Were Nazi leaders using occult knowledge for strategic advantage? And did British Wiccans perform a ritual to psychically deter Hitler from invading Britain? We examine historical records, esoteric practices, and modern interpretations of war magic, shedding light on one of history's most mysterious intersections of the mystical and the military.

On this week's episode Helen Duncan shares her journey from taking early retirement to being inspired enough by seeing the benefits of Equine Touch that she went on to found her own business as an Equine and Human Touch Practitioner. After attending a two-day Equine Touch course for horse owners, Helen was so motivated by what she saw, that she went on to train as a practitioner to enable her to deliver this technique and see first-hand the benefits that it can have. Equine Touch is a non-invasive body working technique involving the connective tissue such as fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments. Helen shares her journey and why she loves working with horse and rider combinations.

Helen Duncan was the last person persecuted in Britain for being a witch. Except she wasn't the last, she wasn't a witch, and she wasn't exactly persecuted either... https://order-of-the-jackalope.com/deeply-impressed/ Key sources for this episode include  C.E. Bechhofer Roberts' The Trial of Mrs. Duncan; Gena Brealey and Kay Hunter's The Two Worlds of Helen Duncan; Harry Price's Leaves of a Psychist's Case-Book; Marion Gibson's Witchcraft: A Story in Thirteen Trials; Paul Tabori's Harry Price: The Biography of a Ghost Hunter; Ruth Paley and Simon Fowler's Family Skeletons: Exploring the Lives of Our Disreputable Ancestors; and contemporary newspaper reports. This week we're promoting our friends The Penny Peepshow -- presenting a range of podcast-play series for your edification and delight. The Pirate Queen! The Devil's Bed & Breakfast! The Edge of Infinity! Our Lady of the Egregious Assumption! Humanity's Last Hope! A Process of Elimination! And more! https://shows.acast.com/the-penny-peepshow/ Email: jackalope@order-of-the-jackalope.com Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/orderjackalope.bsky.social Discord: https://discord.gg/Mbap3UQyCB Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orderjackalope/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orderjackalope/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@orderjackalope Tumblr: https://orderjackalope.tumblr.com YouTube: https://youtube.com/@orderjackalope I'll be presenting at the Intelligent Speech conference on February 8, 2025! Register now at https://intelligentspeechonline.com/ and get 10% off with the promo code JACKALOPE! The Ancient and Esoteric Order of the Jackalope is a secret society devoted to sharing strange stories and amazing facts. No topic is off limits -- if it's interesting or entertaining, we'll do an episode about it!

What'sHerName goes live! To launch our new book, What's Her Name, A History of the World in 80 Lost Women, former episode guests convene in London from all over the world for a Night of Celebration! In rapid-fire succession, brilliant 3-minute performances of poetry, song, story and dance take us chronologically through the history of the world. The magic is punctuated throughout with short readings by Katie and Olivia from the new book. The packed house at the Vagina Museum, with the most enthusiastic audience, made for a heartwarming night we'll never forget! Guest Performers in order of appearance: Introduction and reading by GABBY NEMETH, Senior Editor at Michael O'Mara Books Musician and composer SAM HENDERSON (our little brother!) performing the world's oldest written song, the Seikolos Epitaph Chemist and poet KIRK STAPLEY, reading his poem "Naia" SISTER RITA MINEHAN, Brigidine Sister and founding member of the Solas Bhríde Centre, reading St. Brigid's Lake of Beer Prayer GABO CEMÉ, founder of Eco Maya Travel and Wild Animal Sanctuary, telling the story of Zazil-Ha Westminster Abbey's AARON PATERSON, reading the 17th century petitions and receipts of Elizabeth Gregory, Head Carpenter of the Abbey Award-winning Pakistani singer-songwriter and Bollywood music director ZEB BANGASH performing Roshe, a love poem by 16th century Persian mystic Habba Khatun Professor WALEED ZIAD of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina, telling the story of 19th century Sufi mystic Dadi Mithan IAN MORTIMER, bestselling author of more than twenty books on the history of England, reflects on the life of Harriot Mellon Composer JESSICA WADLEY performing her original song "Mount Florence" about Yosemite adventurer Florence Hutchings Dancer and choreographer JANET COLLARD performing her interpretation of 1920s cabaret dancer Valeska Gert's infamous "prostitute dance," Canaille. KIP WILSON reading from her novel-in-verse One Last Shot, about Spanish Civil War photojournalist Gerda Taro NIKKI DRUCE, host of the Macabre London podcast, recreates the final seance of Helen Duncan, Britain's last convicted witch Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter NEYLA PEKAREK, formerly of The Lumineers, performs "I Want Everything" from her 2022 musical Rattlesnake Kate SOPHIE POLDERMANS, author of Seducing and Killing Nazis, telling the story of Truus and Freddie Oversteegen and Hannie Schaft Composer and musician Erica Glenn, Director of Choral Activities at BYU - Hawaii, performing an Art Song by Ukranian composer Stefania Turkevych Historian PAM TOLER tells the story of anti-fascist war correspondent Sigrid Schultz, from her forthcoming book The Dragon from Chicago Art Historian MONICA WALKER, Events Manager at the Old Operating Theater Museum, performs a bellydance in honor of Samia Gamal of Egypt Artist, designer, and illustrator ELLA KASPEROWICZ, illustrator of our second book A Stinky History of Toilets, whose whimsical illustrations brighten the future of the world Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

IN THIS EPISODE: Described as childlike beings with eerie coal black eyes, no iris or pupils, and pale, white skin, a scourge of mysterious black-eyed children have been reported all over the world. There are hundreds of reports of black-eyed children, often seen in groups of two or more, who ask for permission to enter the person's home or vehicle. Witnesses often report an overwhelming feeling of dread and despair in their presence. What the black-eyed children seek is not known… nor is it known exactly what they are. (Invasion Of The Black Eyed Kids) *** In October of 1943, a U.S. Navy destroyer was supposedly turned invisible and teleported from Philadelphia to Norfolk. But did it really happen? (The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment) *** The Witchcraft Act of 1735 ended the gruesome practice of burning witches at the stake, making it illegal to accuse anyone of having magical powers. Yet in 1944, Helen Duncan was convicted under this very law for fraudulent spiritual activities. Despite her claims of contacting spirits through ectoplasm and even revealing classified naval secrets, she was sentenced to prison. Her trial was one of the last times the Witchcraft Act was used before being replaced in 1951, but her supporters continue to campaign for her pardon. (Britain's Last Witch) *** Once a powerful festival, Dies Sanguinis, or "Day of Blood," honored the Roman goddess of war, Bellona, with animal sacrifices and martial rituals. The festival showcased Rome's military strength and dedication to victory. Although the rise of Christianity and the fall of the Roman Empire eventually ended the festival, its legacy still sheds light on the fascinating nature of ancient Roman culture. (Rome's Day of the Bloody Sacrifice) *** The Dardeen family was found brutally murdered in their home near Ina, Illinois, leaving residents and investigators stumped. Yet even after a confession by Tommy Lynn Sells, the truth is still a mystery. (Demise of the Dardeen Family)YOUTUBE TIME STAMPS…00:00.00.000 = Introduction00:03:50.930 = Show Open00:07:24.193 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 1)00:16:25.361 = Invasion of the Black Eyed Kids (Part 2)00:56:44.662 = The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment01:02:19.882 = Britain's Last Witch01:10:48.357 = Rome's Day of Bloody Sacrifice01:14:22.154 = Show CloseSOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…BOOK: “The Black-Eyed Kids” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3Tniri9BOOK: “The Chilling True Terror of the Black Eyed Kids Monster Compilation” by G. Michael Vasey, https://amzn.to/3R8eTi7BOOK: “The Case For The UFO” by M.K. Jessup: https://amzn.to/3JRDwxzMORE BEK EPISODES: https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/8kn9fpe9, https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n,https://weirddarkness.tiny.us/2tcs3p3n, https://weirddarkness.com/let-us-in/“Invasion Of The Black-Eyed Kids” sources: Anomalien, https://bit.ly/3WszSln, https://bit.ly/3WtCGhV,https://bit.ly/3Ww4ySw, https://bit.ly/44uJb6j; The Business Standard, https://bit.ly/3yhWESI“Demise of the Dardeen Family” source: Wikipedia, https://bit.ly/3WqgHbQ“The Truth Behind The Philadelphia Experiment” source: Katie Serena at AllThatsInteresting.com, https://bit.ly/3JRDi9H“Britain's Last Witch” source: AmusingPlanet.com, https://bit.ly/3UzX7Hk; History Extra, https://bit.ly/3JQez5x: The National, https://bit.ly/3UzgDUs“Rome's Day of the Bloody Sacrifice” source: Ancient Origins, https://bit.ly/3WtCzTx; Tales Beyond Belief, https://bit.ly/3URoQ6T; Journal Of Cognitive Historiography, https://doi.org/10.1558/jch.39915; Roger Pearse, https://bit.ly/3wrydBS; Academia.edu, https://bit.ly/3JREmKJWeird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library. = = = = =(Over time links seen above may become invalid, disappear, or have different content. I always make sure to give authors credit for the material I use whenever possible. If I somehow overlooked doing so for a story, or if a credit is incorrect, please let me know and I will rectify it in these show notes immediately. Some links included above may benefit me financially through qualifying purchases.)= = = = ="I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46= = = = =WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.= = = = =Originally aired: May 08, 2024CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/invasion-of-the-black-eyed-kids/

The huns discuss scams, Baby Reindeer and dogging. The episode also gets very witchy (history, accusations and hexes). Grab a mug of something strong and settle in for some creepy tales of a spooky murder house (lyca? don't even know her), a history lesson from Hannah about witches and Helen Duncan who was imprisoned for being a witch in the 1940s, Part 1 of a story about the gifts of CROWS and finally we round off with a chilling one about the nice neighbours next door.... Enjoy huns! xoxo P.s. We have LIMITED EDITION MERCH! And we are going to Edinburgh Fringe - check out more on the link below: linktr.ee/ghosthunspod  or ghost-huns.terrible.group JOIN OUR PATREON! EXTRA bonus episodes AND a monthly ghost hunt for just £4.50! Or £6 for AD-FREE EPS and weekly AGONY HUNS! We'll solve your problems huns!  Sign up here: www.patreon.com/GhostHuns

Pour regarder la version vidéo de cet épisode, rejoignez gratuitement mon Patreon ici !Hello hello ! Aujourd'hui, nouvel épisode en deux parties dans lequel je suis en compagnie de Tatiana, la créatrice du podcast La Société de Minuit pour vous raconter deux histoires creepy. Dans cette deuxième partie, je vous raconte l'histoire de la "dernière sorcière d'Écosse", Helen Duncan.Allez suivre Tatiana: Son podcast // son Instagram: @lasocietedeminuitRetrouve les photos de l'affaire ici sur mon siteContact collaborations: cestcreepypod@gmail.com

Entre le XVe siècle et le XVIIe siècle, de nombreuses personnes, dont une grande majorité de femmes, furent accusées de sorcellerie, aussi bien en Europe qu'aux États-Unis. Puis ces procès se raréfient.Ainsi, en Grande-Bretagne, une dernière "sorcière" fut brûlée vive en 1727. Mais voilà que cette accusation, qu'on croyait réservée à des temps révolus, resurgit en plein XXe siècle, plus précisément au cours de la Seconde Guerre mondiale.Elle vise une certaine Helen Duncan. Elle n'est pas accusée de pactiser avec le diable, mais de révéler des secrets militaires qui ne doivent pas tomber dans des oreilles indiscrètes.Ces informations confidentielles, Helen Duncan est censée les puiser auprès des esprits de soldats défunts. Car elle est médium de son état et prétend donc entrer en contact avec les morts.Au cours de séances de spiritisme dont elle est le centre, elle annonce ainsi le torpillage de navires britanniques. Des nouvelles qui s'avèrent exactes, et qui n'auraient jamais dû être divulguées.En fait, Helen Duncan n'aurait pas dû faire l'objet d'une accusation de sorcellerie. En effet, les autorités avaient recours, en pareil cas, à une autre loi, dont le but était de protéger les justiciables des escroqueries des médiums.Mais, en l'occurrence, Helen Duncan, qui ne faisait pas payer les services rendus, ne tombait guère sous le coup de cette loi. Si on avait retenu ce chef d'inculpation, elle aurait pu, en effet, être acquittée.C'est pourquoi la justice préfère exhumer une vieille loi, datant du début du XVIIIe siècle, qui avait pour but de sanctionner les personnes prétendant pratiquer la sorcellerie.Jugeant l'affaire très grave, les juges organisent le procès à l'Old Bailey, la principale Cour criminelle de Londres. Le 3 avril 1944, le tribunal reconnaît la culpabilité de la prévenue et la condamne à la prison.Helen Duncan est donc la dernière personne, en Grande-Bretagne, à avoir été détenue pour sorcellerie. Le procès, dénoncé par certains, dont le Premier ministre, Churchill, sera très suivi par l'opinion publique.Quant à Helen Duncan, elle sort très vite de prison, mais sans être graciée. Et elle continue ses activités de médium jusqu'à sa mort, en 1956. Hébergé par Acast. Visitez acast.com/privacy pour plus d'informations.

Are all mediums fake? Do milk baths ward off evil spirits? What is the musical genre of psychobilly? Will everyone have 15 minutes of fame? Kyle and Jheisson answer these questions and more as they dive into the life of Scottish medium Helen Duncan, learn about The Legendary Stardust Cowboy, and get into a heavy debate about The Grape Lady. TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wikiuniversity YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmPDDjcbBJfR0s_xJfYCUvwInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wikiuniversity/Music provided by Davey and the Chains

Helen Duncan, the last person to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Act of 1735.

Have you ever heard the story about the witch named Helen Duncan? No, well let me share some of her story. She was a medium who performed seances and used ectoplasm to connect with spirits. Traveling across the UK she helped a lot of people, but not everyone was a fan. In, enter the legal system, take a listen to this week's episode to find out everything that happened. Enjoy!

Witchcraft - Grade A Mambo Jahambo or a genuine phenomenon? Lynzie Cotton joins us to tell the tale of Helen Duncan - the last person to be tried and convicted under archaic witchcraft laws... as recently as the 1940s. We hear how she upset many folks with her "hoax" shows but it wad when she made an enemy of the British Governent that things went South for dear ol' Hellish Nell. Lynzie educates on the Witchcraft laws and how they came to be and have changed over the years before telling the tale of the Last Witch of Scotland... and there's a recipe for ectoplasm just for good measure. Hear more from Lynzie at pendlecore.com - The opening music is "London Bayou" and the closing music is "BDS" by Lewis Pickford. tallboyradio.com

Step into the ethereal world of séances and spectral communication with our guest author Lisa Morton on this mesmerising episode as we delve into the eerie annals of conversing with the departed, from the necromantic whispers of Homer's Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism, ensnaring Victorian hearts with mediums and the birth of séances. Meet the characters dotting our spectral narrative: the Fox sisters, veiled in 'spirit rappings'; Daniel Dunglas Home, the levitating luminary; and William Crookes, the scientist embracing psychic prowess. Explore the unlikely bond of Houdini and Conan Doyle, and Helen Duncan's witchcraft trial eclipsing wartime fervour. Join us as we summon history's whispers in a séance parlour of storytelling wonder. My Special Guest Is Lisa Morton Lisa Morton is a screenwriter, author of non-fiction books, and prose writer whose work was described by the American Library Association's Readers' Advisory Guide to Horror as “consistently dark, unsettling, and frightening.” She is a six-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award®, the author of four novels and 200 short stories, and a world-class Halloween and paranormal expert. Spiritualism and the Fox sisters Spiritualism, a movement transcending earthly boundaries, finds its echoes in the ethereal tales of the Fox sisters. Central to the séance phenomena of the 19th century, these sisters, Margaret and Kate, ushered in an era of mystique and wonder. Surrounded by inexplicable 'spirit rappings,' they became conduits to the unseen realm, captivating Victorian imaginations with their spectral communion. Yet, amidst the awe, shadows lingered. Their later confession of fraud unveiled layers of mystery, blurring the lines between truth and illusion. The Fox sisters remain enigmatic figures, embodying both the allure and scepticism that shroud the spiritualist quest for connection beyond the veil. In this episode, you will be able to: 1. Explore the history of seances and communicating with the dead. 2. Explore the way different cultures perceive what is a ghost. 3. Examine some of the fascinating mediums and central figures of the Spiritualist movement. If you value this podcast and want to enjoy more episodes please come and find us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/Haunted_History_Chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support the podcast, gain a wealth of additional exclusive podcasts, writing and other content. Links to all Haunted History Chronicles Social Media Pages, Published Materials and more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/hauntedhistorychronicles?fbclid=IwAR15rJF2m9nJ0HTXm27HZ3QQ2Llz46E0UpdWv-zePVn9Oj9Q8rdYaZsR74I⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *NEW* Podcast Shop:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.teepublic.com/user/haunted-history-chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Buy Me A Coffee ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://ko-fi.com/hauntedhistorychronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠ Guest Links Website, books and social links at ⁠https://www.lisamorton.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hauntedchronicles/message

What made a working class woman from Edinburgh become such a threat to British intelligence services during the Second World War, that they tried her as a witch?In today's episode, we're telling you the story of Helen Duncan, aka Hellish Brown, a medium who lays claim to being the last woman in England to be tried as a witch, culminating in her trial in 1944 under the 1735 Witchcraft Act.Joining us is Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail where all sorts of paranormal events take place.What made Duncan's performances so memorable? Why did her trial capture the public's imagination? And how does the 1735 Witchcraft Act live on today?Let's go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.world-renowned historians from History Hit. Watch them on your smart TV or on the go with your mobile device. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code DANSNOW sign up now for your 14-day free trial.We'd love to hear from you! You can email the podcast at ds.hh@historyhit.com.You can take part in our listener survey here.

Welcome Chris to Calling All Spirits! Today Jess's husband, Chris, has so graciously decided to join us and shed some legal light on some of the cases we have covered on the pod so far. A little Salem Witch Trial up through Helen Duncan. We cant wait to pick his brain again in the future. We have so many questions and so little time! Join us on the socials: fb and Instagram: @callingallspiritspod or email us at callingallspiritspod@gmail.comWritten, researched, and hosted by Jessica Avery and Caitlen Hill.Produced by Bre HudakMusic by: Affetisound Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Todays episode: Helen Duncan! What a journey and no one expected this ending! This episode has it all, childhood trauma, historical acts from Henry VIII, police raids, WWII predictions, and a very surprising and abrupt death. Helen Duncan Audio Recording of her Séance:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTMGBlEGm9k Join us on the socials: fb and Instagram: @callingallspiritspod or email us at callingallspiritspod@gmail.comWritten, researched, and hosted by Jessica Avery and Caitlen Hill.Produced by Bre HudakMusic by: Affetisound Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Winston Churchill was a man very well known in history. He was a British statesman, public speaker, and author who was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, and from 1951 to 1955. He rallied his people during World War II, and helped lead his country to victory. But after he rose in political prominence before World War I; Winston gained the reputation of having erratic judgement at times. People started distancing themselves from him until his response to Adolf Hitler's actions helped develop a coalition with the United States and Russia. But after that relationship broke down; Winston was the one who warned the western world of the expansionist threat of the Soviet Union. This changed the geopolitical landscape of the world forever. Winston was considered to be an honourable, charming, but a stubborn man. He was known to be defiant, arrogant, and a bit conceded. He was never afraid to take a risk, but he also stood firm on his beliefs. That's why many think that he became a supporter of a woman known as the last person in Britain convicted as a witch…Helen Duncan. So snuggle in my spooky friends…you are about to hear the tale of how former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill became forever linked to a legal case of wartime witchcraft. We got merch! Shop now: HorrifyingHist1.redbubble.comJoin our fan club at: https://www.patreon.com/horrifyinghistory Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/horrifyinghistoryInstagram & Threads: https://instagram.com/horrifying_historyTwitter: https://twitter.com/horrifyinghist1 Horrifying History is part of the Darkcast Network. Check out their other amazing podcasts at https://www.darkcastnetwork.comThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4180070/advertisement

Nicknamed ‘Hellish Nell' from childhood, spiritualist medium Helen Duncan made a living from claiming to communicate with the spirits of the dead at seances around Britain. But in 1944, her ‘psychic predictions' of wartime tragedy saw her become the last person to be imprisoned under the Witchcraft Act of 1735. Malcolm Gaskill explores the remarkable events that led to Duncan's incarceration and investigates the mysterious world of 20th-century spiritualism. The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On March 22, 1944, as the chill of early spring still lingered in the air, London's Old Bailey prepared itself for a trial that was unlike any other in recent memory. Centuries had passed since the last person was executed for witchcraft on British soil, yet here was Helen Duncan, a medium, standing accused of this ancient offense...CALL 888-MURDERY, that's, 888-687-3379, to share YOUR Kinda Murdery story or your story of living with a disability or other challenges, and you could inspire an episode of the show!Sources: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/last-witch-britain-helen-duncan-wwii https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18456106 https://historyatkingston.wordpress.com/2021/04/02/winston-and-the-witch-the-strange-case-of-alleged-wartime-witchcraft/ https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Helen-Duncan-Scotlands-last-witch/ https://www.scottishlegal.com/articles/our-legal-heritage-helen-duncan-the-wartime-witchThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/5496890/advertisement

Step into a realm where history's dark secrets resurface, and the spectral world confronts the tangible. In this episode, we delve into the unsettling cases of Helen Duncan and Charles Walton, two individuals ensnared by the lingering grip of witchcraft, even in the 20th century. Helen Duncan, a gifted spiritual medium, found herself accused of witchcraft, espionage, and fraud during World War II. Her story blurs the line between the ethereal and the rational, offering a disquieting glimpse into the enduring power of supernatural beliefs. Meanwhile, in a tranquil English village in 1945, a gruesome murder shocked the world. Charles Walton's brutal demise begs unsettling questions about the persistent influence of witchcraft beliefs, even in the modern age. The Witchcraft Act 1735 The Witchcraft Act of 1735 stands as a pivotal moment in the history of witch trials in Great Britain. This historic legislation, passed by the Parliament of the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1735, brought an end to the dark era of hunting and executing individuals accused of practicing witchcraft. Unlike its predecessors, the Act introduced a significant shift in perspective, assuming that there were no real witches with genuine magical powers but rather individuals who claimed such powers to deceive and exploit the vulnerable. The maximum penalty under this new law was a year's imprisonment, marking a stark departure from the earlier belief that witches derived their abilities from pacts with Satan. Instead, the Act embraced a more primitive and medieval view, in line with the early Christian Church's position, which had been contested over the centuries by witch-phobic Inquisitors. This Act, aligning with the broader European trend, led to the decline of witch trials in the 18th century after reaching a peak around 1600 and a series of outbursts in the late 17th century. It signaled a significant step toward the modern legal history of witchcraft and ultimately put an end to the persecution of those accused of being witches in Great Britain. The last execution for witchcraft in the region occurred in 1727 when Janet Horne met a tragic fate. The Last Convictions In England In September 1943, Helen Duncan found herself behind bars, a peculiar victim of the Witchcraft Act 1735. Her alleged crime? Claiming the ability to summon spirits, a practice that led to her arrest and imprisonment. However, her followers have long argued that her incarceration was not just a matter of supernatural beliefs but rather a sinister scheme concocted by superstitious military intelligence officers. The pivotal moment that drew the authorities' attention occurred when she purportedly made contact with the spirit of a sailor from the ill-fated HMS Barham, a sinking that was concealed from the public at the time. Helen faced a litany of charges, including conspiracy to contravene the Witchcraft Act 1735, obtaining money by false pretences, and public mischief. Duncan's nine-month prison term marked her as often described as the last person convicted under this archaic Act. However, Jane Rebecca Yorke, from Forest Gate in east London, shares this dubious distinction, convicted in September 1944 for similar offenses. The Witchcraft Act 1735 met its end in 1951 with the enactment of the Fraudulent Mediums Act, championed by Spiritualists and Thomas Brooks MP. In this episode, you will be able to: 1. Explore the life of Helen Duncan, her arrest and prosecution. 2. Explore the last witchcraft murder case in England. If you value this podcast and want to enjoy more episodes please come and find us on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/Haunted_History_Chronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support the podcast, gain a wealth of additional exclusive podcasts, writing and other content. Links to all Haunted History Chronicles Social Media Pages, Published Materials and more:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://linktr.ee/hauntedhistorychronicles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/hauntedchronicles/message

This week we sat down with Lisha, who is one of our first Patrons and is also a Green Witch! We had a very long and heartfelt discussion about religion! Yes, religion. Who knew 4 people who are not even the same religion could discuss this taboo topic and not argue! It's true people, it can happen! We talked about so many things, famous witches and mediums, authors, historical figures, and we have some book recs (see below)Content Warning:We talked about religion. If you're sensitive to that, you might want to skip this one.The Activity Continues is a podcast where soul sisters, Amy and Megan usually chat about the TV show, The Dead Files. Our other soul sister Amy (AP) keeps us in check with facts, figures, and other fun things. We talk about pets, true crime, ghost stories, haunts, dreams, and other creepy paranormal shit and sometimes we interview really cool people. Whether it be a paranormal professional, a Dead Files client, or a friend with wild stories.So, grab your beverage of choice, hop in the car, don't worry, Steve's driving, and join us when… The Activity Continues.This episode was recorded on August 20, 2023, and released on August 31, 2023.Episode links:Intro to a Green Witch: https://www.cratejoy.com/box-insider/green-witch-primer/https://naturallymodernlife.com/what-is-a-green-witch/Helen Duncan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helen_DuncanAleister Crowley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_CrowleyThe Thoth Deck, Tarot: https://amzn.to/44zoHHHBook recommendationsFrom AP: The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell: https://amzn.to/44q7OPRFrom our group chat: Wicca and Witchcraft for Dummies: https://amzn.to/44p559hPretty much anything by Ellen Dugan: https://amzn.to/3OJpWOEPodcast RecsOccult ConfessionsUncannyGenerally Spooky HistoryAnd That's Why We Drink episode 219: “A Papier-Mache Nose Doll and Mothman's Grandchildren”Looking for your own website for your podcast? Check out Podpage: https://www.podpage.com/?via=amyCredits:Hosted by: Amy Lotsberg and Megan AustinFact-Checker: Amy PiersakProduction, Artwork, and Editing: Amy Lotsberg at Collected Sounds Media, LLC.Theme song. “Ghost Story” and segment music by Cannelle https://melissaoliveri.comSocials and other goodies:Our website, https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/theactivitycontinues Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theactivitycontinues/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheActivityCont   Blog for extras: https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/blog/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theactivitycontinuesYouTube: https://bit.ly/TAC_videos Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/hWnBLLSEND US YOUR PARANORMAL STORIES!Email: theactivitycontinues@gmail.comPhone: 612-424-1684 (leave a message and maybe it will be read on the show!)Or visit our website, https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/ and click on the microphone icon to leave a message.BE OUR GUEST!Are you a The Dead Files client? Or a paranormal professional? Let us know by filling out our guest form:https://www.theactivitycontinues.com/guests/intake/AffiliateThree Spirit Drinks. They create plant-based non-alcoholic elixirs. https://us.threespiritdrinks.com/theactivitycontinues and use the promo code THEACTIVITYCONTINUES for 15% off your entire order. Send us cool stuff at:Collected Sounds Media, LLC8014 Olson Memorial Hwy 55 Box 240Golden Valley, MN 55427-4712Thank you for listening, take care of yourselves. We'll see you next week!A Paranormal PodcastSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/collected-sounds2/donations

Scotland has been the Death Star of Witches in The News for the past year and we've decided to dedicate an entire episode to a woman who deserves a pardon just as much as anyone. The last witch of Scotland, Helen Duncan, was a many things. A charlatan, a medium, a wife of 100 children apparently, but was she a witch? This woman's reputation was dragged through the mud for doing the same thing tent revivals have been doing for decades! Alicia and Terra question what make a religion a religion, how sexism plays a roll in court cases, the radical performance art of seances and how the hell the United Kingdom government had time to do all of this when it was trying to KILL HITLER. Plus! A very special witches in the news. Could Ireland pardon a group of "witches" on a remote island 100 years later? How can we help children in Nigeria that continue to be accused of witchcraft and displaced by their families and communities? And the rapidly approaching season of the spooky. Could halloween cheery be coming from an unexpected place this October? Hosted by Alicia Herder and Terra Keck. Produced by Marcel Pérez. With Research Assistance provided by Brian Rainey. Creative Directing by Mallory Porter. Music by Kevin MacLeod. Official Witch, Yes! Discord! Witch, Yes! on Patreon! Check out our merch on Teepublic! Our Link Tree "Spellbound" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Witches in The News: The Witches of Islandmagee Nigerian Child Witches Report Larger-Than-Life Halloween Decorations Support Witch, Yes! by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/witch-yes This podcast is powered by Pinecast.

Ectoplasm - real? Or some special effects from Ghostbusters? This week we explore the phenomena of ectoplasm, what it is, as well as the connection to a Most Haunted medium and Helen Duncan, the last woman charged for witchcraft. But is there some truth in this? Join us and find out... if you dare....Have you ever seen ectoplasm? Get in touch over at contact@paranormalpod.co.uk---A Create Podcast Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/paranormal-activity-with-yvette-fielding. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nuevo capítulo de las historias de terror chuscas de Lala Chus. Nuestra experta nos desgrana este lunes la historia de Helen Duncan, una pseudobruja que realizaba sesiones de espiritismo "estilo el mago pop".  

Liam and Rebecca tell the story of the infamous fraudulent medium, Helen Duncan and her notorious World War II predictions. MerchTwitterInstagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

En este episodio, exploraremos la inquietante historia de nuestras conversaciones con los muertos, desde la necromancia en la Odisea de Homero hasta el surgimiento del Espiritualismo, cuando los victorianos estaban cautivados por los médiums y nacía la sesión espírita. Entre nuestros personajes estarán las hermanas Fox; Daniel Dunglas Home, el "médium más grande de todos los tiempos"; Houdini y Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, cuya amistad poco probable se forjó y luego se rompió gracias al más allá; y Helen Duncan, la médium cuyo juicio por brujería en 1944 resultó más popular para el público que las noticias sobre la guerra. Y además: Il capo di tutti i capi, con Alberto Ausín ¡Puedo hablar de mi salud mental?, con Bea Cepeda y Enrique Aparicio Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

- La Última Bruja Durante la II Guerra Mundial Las 'visiones' de una medium llamada Helen Duncan alertaron a las autoridades británicas. ¿Acaso era capaz de conocer datos de alto secreto a través de sus supuestos poderes? - Libros de piel humana Tan siniestros como curiosos existen bibliotecas que contienen libros cuyas tapas fueron confeccionadas con piel humana. Las historias detrás de algunos de estos libros son alucinantes. - Salamanca de Leyenda Apariciones marianas, cuevas con secretos, personajes oscuros, reliquias sorprendentes o tumbas con leyenda. Salamanca tiene gran cantidad de lugares secretos con historias de absoluta leyenda. Hablamos con la periodista Ana Esther Méndez sobre este lugar mágico

From Halloween expert Lisa Morton, bring us Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances (Reaktion, 2022), a level-headed and entertaining history of our desire and attempts to hold conversations with the dead. Calling the Spirits investigates the eerie history of our conversations with the dead, from necromancy in Homer's Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism—when Victorians were entranced by mediums and the seance was born. Among our cast are the Fox sisters, teenagers surrounded by “spirit rappings”; Daniel Dunglas Home, the “greatest medium of all time”; Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose unlikely friendship was forged, then riven, by the afterlife; and Helen Duncan, the medium whose trial in 1944 for witchcraft proved more popular to the public than news about the war. The book also considers Ouija boards, modern psychics, and paranormal investigations, and is illustrated with engravings, fine art (from beyond), and photographs. Hugely entertaining, it begs the question: is anybody there . . . ? Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

From Halloween expert Lisa Morton, bring us Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances (Reaktion, 2022), a level-headed and entertaining history of our desire and attempts to hold conversations with the dead. Calling the Spirits investigates the eerie history of our conversations with the dead, from necromancy in Homer's Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism—when Victorians were entranced by mediums and the seance was born. Among our cast are the Fox sisters, teenagers surrounded by “spirit rappings”; Daniel Dunglas Home, the “greatest medium of all time”; Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose unlikely friendship was forged, then riven, by the afterlife; and Helen Duncan, the medium whose trial in 1944 for witchcraft proved more popular to the public than news about the war. The book also considers Ouija boards, modern psychics, and paranormal investigations, and is illustrated with engravings, fine art (from beyond), and photographs. Hugely entertaining, it begs the question: is anybody there . . . ? Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

From Halloween expert Lisa Morton, bring us Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances (Reaktion, 2022), a level-headed and entertaining history of our desire and attempts to hold conversations with the dead. Calling the Spirits investigates the eerie history of our conversations with the dead, from necromancy in Homer's Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism—when Victorians were entranced by mediums and the seance was born. Among our cast are the Fox sisters, teenagers surrounded by “spirit rappings”; Daniel Dunglas Home, the “greatest medium of all time”; Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose unlikely friendship was forged, then riven, by the afterlife; and Helen Duncan, the medium whose trial in 1944 for witchcraft proved more popular to the public than news about the war. The book also considers Ouija boards, modern psychics, and paranormal investigations, and is illustrated with engravings, fine art (from beyond), and photographs. Hugely entertaining, it begs the question: is anybody there . . . ? Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion

From Halloween expert Lisa Morton, bring us Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances (Reaktion, 2022), a level-headed and entertaining history of our desire and attempts to hold conversations with the dead. Calling the Spirits investigates the eerie history of our conversations with the dead, from necromancy in Homer's Odyssey to the emergence of Spiritualism—when Victorians were entranced by mediums and the seance was born. Among our cast are the Fox sisters, teenagers surrounded by “spirit rappings”; Daniel Dunglas Home, the “greatest medium of all time”; Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, whose unlikely friendship was forged, then riven, by the afterlife; and Helen Duncan, the medium whose trial in 1944 for witchcraft proved more popular to the public than news about the war. The book also considers Ouija boards, modern psychics, and paranormal investigations, and is illustrated with engravings, fine art (from beyond), and photographs. Hugely entertaining, it begs the question: is anybody there . . . ? Jana Byars is the Academic Director of Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/popular-culture

Dee feels Kate should become a paranormal investigator and study the research techniques of original ghost hunter Harry Price who investigated medium Helen Duncan and other famous British hauntings during the mid-20th century. Caller phones in to tell us about her aunt who lived in the Ossett murder house. Sign up for the Sick and...

Dee and Kate recommend the SW listeners celebrate Halloween with a seance involving ectoplasm and spirit guides like medium and spiritualist Helen Duncan, the last witch of Scotland. Liam from Toronto calls in about a near abduction of a family member and Rick from Leeds phones in a story about his mate's colon. Sign up...

Tracy and Holly discuss WWII submarine warfare as it related to Helen Duncan's story. Tracy also shares her experience visiting the Mütter Museum when it was hosting an exhibit titled “Imperfecta.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Duncan is sometimes described as Scotland's last witch, or the last person imprisoned for witchcraft in Britain, or the last person to be tried under the UK's 1735 Witchcraft Act. None of those are quite accurate. Research: Undiscovered Scotland. “Helen Duncan.” https://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/d/helenduncan.html “Scotland's Last Witch.” Modern Scotland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/modern/oddities_modern.shtml “Britain's 'last witch': Campaign to pardon Helen Duncan.” 6/15/2012. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-18456106 Atkins, Harry. “Helen Duncan: Britain's Last Witch.” History Hit. 6/10/2022. https://www.historyhit.com/helen-duncan-britains-last-witch/ Brown, Laura. “Helen Duncan.” The Scots Magazine. https://www.scotsmagazine.com/articles/series/a-z-of-great-scots-helen-duncan/ Price, Harry. “The Cheese-Cloth Worshippers by Harry Price.” Leaves from a Psychist's Case-Book (Victor Gollancz, 1933). Meier, Allison C. “Ectoplasm and the Last British Woman Tried for Witchcraft.” JSTOR Daily. 9/13/2018. https://daily.jstor.org/ectoplasm-and-the-last-british-woman-tried-for-witchcraft/ Team Mighty. “A British Woman Was Convicted Under a Witchcraft Law During WWII.” The Archive. 9/7/2021. https://explorethearchive.com/helen-duncan McPherson, Hamish. “The truth about the UK's last witch Helen Duncan.” The National. 5/8/2018. https://www.thenational.scot/news/16209915.truth-uks-last-witch-helen-duncan/ Schnuer, Jenna. "SPIRITED AWAY: After a devastating Royal Navy loss, military authorities felt duty bound to keep a careful eye on a famed Scottish mystic." World War II, vol. 34, no. 1, June 2019, pp. 64+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A581176173/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=c973ec6a. Accessed 2 Sept. 2022. Gaskill, Malcolm. "Britain's Last Witch." History Today, vol. 51, no. 5, May 2001, p. 6. Gale In Context: U.S. History, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A74483221/GPS?u=mlin_n_melpub&sid=bookmark-GPS&xid=5c15ccbd. Accessed 2 Sept. 2022. Gaskill, Malcolm. "Duncan [née MacFarlane], (Victoria) Helen McCrae (1897–1956), medium." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. Date of access 7 Sep. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1093/ref:odnb/66217 Collins, B. Abdy. “Spiritualism and the Law.” The Modern Law Review , July 1945, Vol. 8, No. 3 (Jul., 1945). https://www.jstor.org/stable/1090340 Old Bailey Trial Series. “The Trial of Mrs. Duncan.” C. E. Bechhofer Roberts, General Editor. 1945. UK Parliament. “Witchcraft.” https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/private-lives/religion/overview/witchcraft/ UK Parliament. “Which Witch(Craft Act) Is Which?” 10/28/2020. https://archives.blog.parliament.uk/2020/10/28/which-witchcraft-act-is-which/ Vagrancy Act of 1824 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1824/83/pdfs/ukpga_18240083_en.pdf Fraudulent Mediums Act of 1951 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1951/33/pdfs/ukpga_19510033_en.pdf Earls, Averill and Marissa Rhodes. State Secrets: Helen Duncan's Famous Witchcraft Trial.' Dig: A History Podcast. 7/3/2022. https://digpodcast.org/2022/07/03/cheesecloth-spiritualism-and-state-secrets-helen-duncans-famous-witchcraft-trial/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiritualism Series, #1 of 4. Helen Duncan was charged under the 1735 Witchcraft Act, but her case was no eighteenth-century sensation: she was arrested, charged, and ultimately imprisoned in 1944. Of course, in 1944, Britain was at war, fighting fascism by day on the continent and hiding in air raid shelters by night at home. The spectacle of a Spiritualist medium on trial for witchcraft seemed out of place. What possessed the Home Secretary to allow this trial to make headlines all across the UK in 1944? That's what we're here to find out. Get the full transcript, bibliography, and resources for educators at digpodcast.org Select Bibliograph Lisa Morton, Calling the Spirits: A History of Seances (University of Chicago Press, 2021). Nina Shandler, The Strange Case of Hellish Nell, (Da Capo Press, 2006) Ronald Hutton, The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft, (Oxford University Press, 1997) Malcolm Gaskill, Hellish Nell: Last of Britain's Witches, (HarperCollins Publishers, 2002) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The most infamous witch trials are synonymous with Salem, but the most recent happened in the UK less than 80 years ago. This week, we'll dive in to the 1944 witch trial of Helen Duncan and the leaked war time secrets that inevitably found her in court. We'll unveil her haunted past and explore the rise of Spiritualism in a country ravaged by war. Was Helen Duncan truly blessed with otherworldly powers? Or was she a clever girl who knew how to work the system? We'll explore all that and more, closing with a delicious Pavlova lovingly made by Halee. Happy Haunting! 

We have a very special live episode for you recorded for the Arizona Theatre Matters 2022 Festival. In it, we talk all about seances (as if it wasn't obvious from our last minisode). First, Cody talks about Helen Duncan, the last woman tried as a witch in Britain for talking to dead soldiers during WW2. Then, Chris discusses Mae West, the Hollywood starlet fascinated by seances. Next, Cody shares the story of a man who sets up a fake seance only to have the real thing thrown in his face. Finally, Chris talks about a crazy seance set up in a haunted Toys R Us…You read that right. Our drinks were whatever the heck we wanted to make for this special.Advisory: 0:00s-0:18sIntro Music: 0:18s-0:46sTopic: 0:46s-7:27mDrinks: 7:27m-10:37mHistory: 10:37m-20:24mHelen Duncan: 20:24m-32:40mMae West: 32:40m-41:37mTrailer: 41:37m-42:32mGross Pointe: 43:32m-51:30mSylvia Browne: 51:30m-59:23mOuija: 59:23m-1:04:50hBeliever: 1:04:50h-1:07:46hSkeptic: 1:07:46h-1:13:40mCreep of the Week: 1:13:40m-1:15:35mSign Off: 1:15:35h-1:28:16hExit Music: 1:28:16h-1:28:33hOriginal Music: “Halloween Pumpkin” found at https://www.purple-planet.comTo find other strange podcasts, follow our network: https://podmoth.network/LinksHistory-https://coolmomsusa.com/the-history-of-the-seance/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S%C3%A9ance#:~:text=The%20word%20s%C3%A9ance%20comes%20from,%22a%20movie%20session%22).https://www.history.com/news/flu-pandemic-wwi-ouija-boards-spiritualismhttps://allthatsinteresting.com/seancesHelen Duncan-https://www.express.co.uk/news/history/727844/Britain-last-witch-Helen-Duncan-exoneration-60-yearshttps://www.ranker.com/list/scary-stories-from-seances/melissa-brinksMae West-https://www.classicmoviehub.com/blog/lives-behind-the-legends-mae-west-spiritual-vixen/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mae_WestGross Pointe-http://www.castleofspirits.com/ghoststories/stories99/November1999_4.htmlSylvia Browne and the Haunted Toys ‘R Us:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylvia_Brownehttps://www.jmplumbley.com/2015/09/03/clean-up-on-aisle-15-the-haunting-of-toys-r-us-sunnyvale/https://www.strangerdimensions.com/2016/07/03/haunted-toys-r-us-sunnyvale-california/https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/651670/haunted-toys-r-usOuija-https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/20mq5c/to_those_who_played_with_a_ouija_boarddo_tell/cg4ykgm/https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/20mq5c/to_those_who_played_with_a_ouija_boarddo_tell/cg599ny/Believer-https://www.forbes.com/sites/mishagajewski/2021/01/17/heres-why-some-people-say-they-hear-dead-people/?sh=2165b37a439ahttps://everettclipper.com/13425/showcase/modern-seance-searching-for-a-connection/Skeptic-https://www.forbes.com/sites/mishagajewski/2021/01/17/heres-why-some-people-say-they-hear-dead-people/?sh=2165b37a439ahttps://everettclipper.com/13425/showcase/modern-seance-searching-for-a-connection/

Introduction voice over by Leebo Jakes from Lexington Paranormal Research Society  Narrated by Jerry Paulley  Written by Jerry Paulley Closing song: Kid Riot

We enter the world of the supernatural this week as we discuss a Scottish Woman who claimed to be able to summon spirits. Helen Duncan and her pet spirit Albert spent the inter-war years happily reuniting the living and the dead at seances in the two most important cities in Britain... Edinburgh and Portsmouth. However when WWII started Helen's knack of 'knowing' sensitive state secrets led to one of the weirdest trials the Old Bailey has ever hosted.William Churchill will not be pleased!Guest Host: Emma Heathcote See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Alternatively Titled: Fight Fire with BombsSomehow this episode devolved into the weirdest history lesson that our ghost-hosts could cook up. Mak talks about Helen Duncan, the last witch of Scotland. Don't let her title fool you though, this very quickly turns into the weirdest bit of WWII lesson of all time.Emily matches this and then some with the famous ghost town, Tombstone, in Arizona. Imagine a never-ending poker game, reverse fire fighting, and the most nonsense names you've ever heard.

Continuing our spooky month of episodes, Brittany and Carla learn about séances. We find out why we want to believe, debunking and cheese cloth apparitions. Topics include Derren Brown, the Fox sisters, Helen Duncan, Austin Texas and Ouija boards.Check out our Patreon here for monthly bonus episodes Sources: Podcast - Curious Characters - Helen Duncan “Talking to The Deadhttps://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofScotland/Helen-Duncan-Scotlands-last-witch/https://www.thenational.scot/news/16209915.truth-uks-last-witch-helen-duncan/https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/scottishhistory/modern/oddities_modern.shtmlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witchcraft_Act_1735#:~:text=The%20Witchcraft%20Act%20(9%20Geo,of%20witches%20in%20Great%20Britain.”https://www.theguardian.com/science/2013/oct/20/seances-and-sciencehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/the-strange-and-mysterious-history-of-the-ouija-board-5860627/https://globalnews.ca/news/3545393/canada-150-5-odd-stories-canadian-prime-ministers/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've saved the strangest and wildest story for last in our Scottish Witchcraft mini-series... trust us! Listen as Eilidh tells Kieran the unbelievably story of famed medium, Helen Duncan.   If you want to support the podcast, please subscribe and leave a review. We'd really appreciate it!  You can also join us over on Patreon for loads of cool stuff: Get access to new episodes a whole week before anyone else  Gain access to extra mini-episodes every two weeks You can listen to the weekly wee blether where we debrief the latest episode and have a more casual chat.  You get access to the book club where Eilidh is currently reading the Turn of The Screw by Henry James Plus 10% off merch in our Merch Store

In our first snack time episode, our friends from the Weird Distractions Podcast share with us the story of Helen Duncan. Listener discretion is advised. Is spirit snot a symptom for the common cold? No? Either way, this week Alex & Christie talk the spooky but questionable happenings of the infamous Scottish medium, Helen Duncan. You won't want to miss out on the hot tea that her former maid spilled, or why a Lieutenant wasn't impressed at one of the seances. Want to hear more from Weird Distractions? Head on over to their linktree page to find your favorite streaming platform and ways to support the show https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod (https://linktr.ee/WeirdDistractionsPod)

Spooky Seances, grim ghosts, and lessons in witch law. Zelda and Emma discuss Helen Duncan- the last woman to be found guilty of witchcraft in Scotland. It's their very first episode about a real person who existed! (And it's their first episode where they're together in the same room!)