Matthew Hopkins: The Witch-Finder General

Step back into one of the darkest and most terrifying chapters of English history.
In this full-length dramatic podcast episode, we uncover the chilling rise and fall of Matthew Hopkins — the self-proclaimed “Witch-Finder General.”

Between 1644 and 1647, Hopkins unleashed a reign of terror across East Anglia, using fear, torture, superstition, and deceit to condemn more than 200 innocent people to death. From sleep-deprivation and “pricking” to his infamous “swimming” tests, Hopkins used brutal techniques disguised as “lawful methods” to extract false confessions and fuel mass hysteria.

This episode dives deep into:

🔥 The mysterious origins of Matthew Hopkins
🔥 His rise to power during the English Civil War
🔥 The torture methods he used and how he evaded the law
🔥 The Chelmsford trials and the execution of the elderly minister John Lowes
🔥 The backlash from clergy like John Gaule
🔥 Hopkins’ sudden downfall and the mystery surrounding his death
🔥 The haunting legacy he left behind

Told with dramatic narration, pauses, and atmospheric storytelling, this is one of the most detailed and immersive accounts of the Witch-Finder General ever produced.

If you’re fascinated by real historical horror… witch trials… dark folklore… or the twisted psychology of those who exploit fear… this episode is for you.

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Enter the world of superstition, fear, and cruelty… and meet the man who turned witch-hunting into a career.