This October, join your host Eri Berry for a three-part deep-dive into the truth behind the Essex witch trials. In this first part, we'll uncover the wider historical context to better understand how we ended up with anti-witchcraft legislation in the first place, as well as identifying likely candidates for the first women executed under these questionable pieces of statute.

Click here for the show-notes, including image attribution.

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DISCLAIMER:

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 - Intro

00:00:21 - Context for the episode

00:01:57 - The Origins of Magic

00:06:38 - The Early Modern Era and how Henry VIII caused religious chaos…

00:10:04 - The Religious Pendulum begins to swing…

00:13:46 - Elizabeth I takes the throne

00:14:53 - Essex begins its witch trials

00:22:37 - Next time, and thank you!

00:23:15 - Credits

Key Names and Places:

Essex, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Lady Jane Grey, Great Waltham, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel.

On this episode of Unexpected Essex, your host Eri Berry deep dives into the murky world of 18th century highway robbery. Today, we answer the question: just who was Dick Turpin, how was he connected to Essex, and exactly what was the real deal with highwaymen?

This episode explores the life of highwayman Dick Turpin, the circumstances of his eventual execution, and how society came to romanticise the figure of the gentleman highwayman in popular culture. Turpin was born in Hempstead, a small village in the north west of Essex. Initially working as a butcher, it isn't long before he's drawn into a shady world of poaching, robbery, and even murder.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

00:17 The Concept of the Highwayman

04:13 The Origin of Dick Turpin

07:25 The Gregory Gang a.k.a The Essex Gang

21:36 Turpin on the Run

26:53 A Fateful Letter

29:15 The Trial

31:02 Execution

34:25 The Legend Begins

38:52 The Myth of the Highwayman in the 20th Century

40:44 Introducing the Turpin Tally

41:19 Thanks for Listening!

41:48 Credits

Key Names and Places

Dick Turpin, Hempstead, Epping Forest, York, London, Thaxted, Waltham Forest, Lincolnshire

Show Notes and Image Attribution

Click here.

Socials and Subscribe Links:

YouTube: Unexpected Essex

Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026

TikTok: @unexpectedessex

Facebook: Unexpected Essex

Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk

Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER:

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

In this episode, Eri Berry brings you the stories of three areas of Essex that have been through significant transformations to demonstrate the positive impact of what can happen when we work with nature rather than against her.

Join Eri on a journey to discover the conservation work that has taken place across three locations in Essex: Abbotts Hall Farm, Wallasea Island, and Spains Hall in Finchingfield. Each of these places has a story to tell and a lesson to learn about the potential solutions to flooding that can found through the restoration of saltmarshes and the reintroduction of native species.

Time Stamps:

00:00 Intro

00:28 Essex's Ecosystem

01:28 Abbotts Hall Farm

04:51 Wallasea Island

13:02 Spains Hall

17:06 Conclusion and ways you can help

18:20 Thanks for listening and credits

Show Notes and Image Attribution:

Click here.

Key Names and Places:

Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Wallasea Island, Finchingfield, Spains Hall, Ealing.

Socials and Subscribe Links:

YouTube: Unexpected Essex

Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026

TikTok: @unexpectedessex

Facebook: Unexpected Essex Page

Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk

Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER

This episode is not sponsored by any of the organisations discussed, though Eri Berry is a member of the Essex Wildlife Trust.

While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.