Agnes Waterhouse and the Birth of England’s Witch Trials

In 1566, Agnes Waterhouse became one of the first woman executed for witchcraft in England. Accused of killing her neighbor with the help of a talking cat named Sathan, her trial marked the beginning of a dark chapter in English history. In this episode, we explore the haunting story of Agnes, the rise of witchcraft laws under Elizabeth I, and how fear, superstition, and gender shaped one of the era’s most terrifying injustices.

As always, commercial-free on Patreon!--

Narrated by: Rebecca Larson

Researched and Written by: Emily Airey