{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/60032060-080e-42c5-ac26-f93fc2b4d612/65200e8e376dc20011810b43?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The WW2 Witch Trial of Hellish Nell","description":"<p>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?</p><p><br></p><p>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.</p><p><br></p><p>Joining us is Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail where all sorts of paranormal events take place.</p><p><br></p><p>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?</p><p><br></p><p>Let's go Betwixt the Sheets to find out.</p><p><br></p><p>This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy and produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.</p><p><br></p><p>Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free original podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians like Kate Lister, Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Lucy Worsley, Mary Beard and more.</p><p><br></p><p>Get 50% off your first 3 months with code <a href=\"https://access.historyhit.com/checkout/subscribe/receipt?code=betwixt&amp;plan=monthly\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><u>BETWIXT</u></a>. Download the app on your smart TV or in the app store or sign up at <a href=\"http://historyhit.com/subscribe\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><u>historyhit.com/subscribe</u></a>.</p><p><br></p><p>You can take part in our listener survey <a href=\"https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/6FFT7MK\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><u>here</u></a>.</p>","author_name":"History Hit"}