4.39°C In the 16th and 17th centuries, Essex saw more people accused of witchcraft than any other county in the UK. Hundreds – mainly women – were arrested on the basis of hysteria, superstition and fear.
Many of the accused were imprisoned in Colchester Castle gaol before trial. Conditions were appalling. Some never lived to see their day in court.
While towns including Edinburgh, Exeter and Pendle have erected memorials to their witch trial victims, Colchester – despite holding more alleged witches than anywhere else in the country – has never had a permanent marker.
That is about to change.
Colchester Borough Council has agreed that a memorial stone should be installed in a prominent position in Castle Park, opposite the castle itself. The project has been costed at £1,500 including installation. £650 has already been pledged, leaving £850 still to raise.
The campaign, led by John Worland, aims to finally acknowledge the injustice suffered by those accused over 400 years ago.
The memorial is also intended as a reminder for today. In an age where accusations can spread rapidly and anonymously – particularly via social media – history offers a stark warning about the consequences of fear and public hysteria.
The hope is to unveil the memorial in April or May this year.
Donations can be made via the JustGiving crowdfunding page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/essexwitchtrialvictimsmemorial
