331: American Witches

In this episode of The Rest Is History, Dominic Sandbrook and Tom are joined by Professor Malcolm Gaskill to discuss witch hunting and witch crazes in 17th-century New England. The discussion begins with an anecdote about a colonist's terrifying experience with a talking snake, setting the stage for an exploration into the dark and paranoid world of early American settlements. Professor Gaskill provides insights into the motivations behind the migration to New England, the religious and economic factors at play, and the social dynamics that led to witchcraft accusations. The conversation centers on the town of Springfield, its founder William Pynchon, and the stories of Mary Lewis and Hugh Parsons, delving into their personal struggles and eventual involvement in witchcraft trials. The episode examines the broader context of witch crazes in Europe, the role of anxiety and economic pressures in fueling accusations, and the legal processes involved in witchcraft trials, ultimately revealing the complexities and nuances of this dark chapter in history.