Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

The WW2 Witch Trial of Hellish Nell

Oct 10, 2023

Learn about Helen Duncan, aka Hellish Brown, the last woman in England to be tried as a witch during WW2. Joined by Jess Marlton, manager of Bodmin Jail, they delve into Duncan's memorable performances, why her trial captivated the public, and the lasting impact of the 1735 Witchcraft Act.

37:37

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Episode guests

Jess Marlton

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Quick takeaways

Helen Duncan, a Scottish medium, gained popularity for her seances and claims of communicating with the dead, attracting large audiences seeking solace after World War I.

Helen Duncan's arrest and trial under the Witchcraft Act of 1735 marked a significant event in British history and highlighted the government's desire to crack down on fraudulent mediums and potentially prevent leakage of sensitive information during World War II.

Deep dives

Helen Duncan: The Controversial Medium

Helen Duncan, a Scottish medium from the early 1900s, gained notoriety for her seances and claims of communicating with the dead. Despite her fraudulent practices and the revelation of her fake ectoplasm, she attracted large audiences who sought solace in her ability to connect with their lost loved ones. The popularity of spiritualism surged after World War I, as people longed to reconnect with those they had lost in the war. Duncan's seances were characterized by dramatic performances, musicians, and the production of ectoplasm. However, she was eventually arrested and tried under the Witchcraft Act of 1735. The trial sparked public interest, with witnesses testifying both for and against Duncan's abilities. Ultimately, she was found guilty and sentenced to nine months in Holloway Prison. She continued her fraudulent practices after her release and faced additional fines. Despite her controversial legacy, her descendants currently fight to annul her conviction under the Witchcraft Act.

Introduction

4min

Helen Duncan: The Last Witchcraft Trial

9min

Exploring the Medium's Session

5min

Exploring Helen's Unique Abilities and Harry Price's Investigation

3min

Helen Duncan's Trial and Imprisonment

15min

The Story of Helen, a Wrongly Accused Witch

3min

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.

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