From Queen to Captive – Witchcraft, Women and Power

Speaking with Shadows

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4+ y ago 30:40

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It's the winter of 1420 and Joan of Navarre, Queen of England has been imprisoned by her stepson King Henry V. A rich widow and an influential political figure, Joan has been accused of witchcraft and plotting to kill the king and now awaits her fate imprisoned in the keep of Pevensey Castle.

In this episode Josie Long explores the ruins of the castle and meets historian Richard Nevell and site manager Janet Taylor, to learn more about Joan's imprisonment and the reasons behind her accusation of witchcraft. Josie also speaks to historian Virginia Davis about the lives of ordinary women in the Middle Ages, and to Professor Diane Purkiss about the origins of popular witchcraft beliefs and how these could be used to persecute women over the centuries.

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Speaking with Shadows is brought to you by English Heritage.

Presenter: Josie Long

Producer: Katharine Kerr for Fresh Air

Contributors: Richard Nevell, Honorary Research Fellow; Janet Taylor, Site Manager for Pevensey Castle, English Heritage; Virginia Davis, Professor of Medieval History; Diane Purkiss, Professor of English Literature.

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17 episodes

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