Malmesbury Witch Trial 350

08/02/2026

We're very pleased to announce that the gripping 11 minute drama 'The Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672' is now on our new Explore Malmesbury YouTube channel. What happens as 14 Malmesbury residents are accused of witch craft?

It is the second part of this important but little known part of Malmesbury history that started in 'The Story of Goody Orchard'; it was made by students from Bath Spa University as part of Explore Malmesbury's Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 Project at locations across Malmesbury and Salisbury.

You can see 'The Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672' now at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6MhCep6V3f39_EkiuKODnA

*Special Bonus: We have also added the delightful short documentary 'The Making of the Films for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350' which describes the importance of the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672 and how our two dramatic films were made.

07/02/2026

We are very pleased to announce that the enthralling 9 minute film 'The Story of Goody Orchard' made for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 can now be seen on the new Explore Malmesbury You Tube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6MhCep6V3f39_EkiuKODnA

Set in 1645 it illuminates the terrible outcome of the encounter between Goody and ten year old Mary Batholomew when Mary answered Goody's knock at the door of her father's brewery near Malmesbury Abbey. What happened on that fateful occasion led to the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672...

Our film - part one of two - was made by students from Bath Spa University at locations across Malmesbury. Part two will be added tomorrow...

05/04/2024

Parts of the Malmesbury Witch Trial story will feature in the 'Malmesbury in the English Civil War' experience from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th May 2024. The events surrounding the ill-treatment of Alice Elgar at the Market Cross and the fateful meeting of Mary Bartholomew and Goody Orchard both happened while the Civil War was raging. Be in the Market Cross on the afternoon of Saturday 4th May to find out more about Alice. The Malmesbury Witch Trial Trail is open on Explore Malmesbury https://exploremalmesbury.com/ #/trails

08/01/2023

08/01/2023

On Tuesday 10th January the story of the Malmesbury Witch Trials continues! Hear local author Paul Overton’s new short play ‘The Death of Alice Elgar’ live on Radio Wiltshire at 2.30pm, followed by an interview with Paul.

Paul did a fantastic job writing the film and live theatre scripts for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350. ‘The Death of Alice Elgar’ is a prequel - the dramatic story of a real event based on fear of witchcraft that started in the Malmesbury’s Market Cross during the English Civil War. Don’t miss it!

Meanwhile the Malmesbury Witch Trial Trail is open for all at www.exploremalmesbury.com/ #/trails. Follow the story of the Malmesbury Witch Trials at the places it happened. Try it on your laptop at home or explore from point to point guided by your smartphone.

07/10/2022

⭐️⭐️⭐️Hags: A Magical Extravaganza ⭐️⭐️⭐️

At Malmesbury Town Hall - 7.30pm Friday 14th Oct - A brilliant show!

It's our joint project with Malmesbury Live Arts and the final 'big' event for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350: Live Theatre with the fantastic award winning Scratchworks Theatre Company.

Just 10 years after the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672 the final witch trial in England took place in Bideford, Devon. Now three fearless females investigate what really happened...Joy, silliness and spectacle on the way to setting the record straight.

We are into last remaining tickets time. Get yours at:
https://malmesbury-live-arts.org.uk/hags

We're looking forward to seeing you!

30/09/2022

⭐️⭐️⭐️Hags: A Magical Extravaganza ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coming to Malmesbury Town Hall
7.30pm Friday 14th Oct
with Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 & Malmesbury Live Arts

This is the great final event for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 and absolutely not to be missed!

16/09/2022

Hags, a Magical Extravaganza by award winning Scratchworks Theatre Company is coming to Malmesbury Town Hall at 7.30pm on Friday 14th October.

Booking here https://malmesbury-live-arts.org.uk/hags

Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 are pleased to be working in partnership with Malmesbury Live Arts and The Last Baguette to bring this brilliant show to town.

It’s just 10 years after the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672. In Bideford in 1682, the final witch trial in Britain took place. Now fast forward to the present day and name one female magician…pretty tricky.

Tonight, three fearless females are climbing out of their boxes, shaking off the sequins and investigating what really happened in a small town in North Devon 340 years ago. Packed full of magic tricks, physical comedy & live music, our magiciennes explore the witch-hunt mania that swept the country and sent hundreds of innocent women to the gallows. ‘Hags’ sets the record straight for thousands of falsely accused women with all the joy, silliness & spectacle these three can muster.

“Hags enchants and charms as dark secrets, sleight of hand and historical horrors unfold.” British Theatre Guide

Event details: https://www.facebook.com/events/756750548911482

‘A howl at the moon and a love song to the power and magic of women’ Audience feedback

29/08/2022

TODAY: Our three films released and - breaking news - Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 on the BBC.

The three short films telling the story of the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672 are available now on You Tube for the very first time. Be among the very first to see them. Just follow the links. We hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoyed making them!

The Story of Goody Orchard (9 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8KiBWJswmg

The Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672 (12 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_eYeJXi_Nc

The Making of the Films for Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 (7 mins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28t--u28N5U

PLUS: Breaking News. At 5:45pm this Monday Bank Holiday afternoon: Tune in and hear the premiere of ‘The Witch Trial’ on BBC Radio Wiltshire. It’s a 15 minute documentary featuring recordings made at Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 Live in July. ‘350 years ago, the idyllic Wiltshire town of Malmesbury was awash with gossip….’ If you can’t listen today it is also on BBC Sounds.

22/08/2022

Malmesbury Witch Trial 350. Monday 29th August. Public Film Premieres.

Be among the first to see the three short films made as part of the commemoration of the 350th anniversary of the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672.

We'll be posting the access links for 'The Making of Malmesbury Witch Trial 350', 'Goody Orchard's Story' and 'The Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672' on Bank Holiday Monday.

Can't wait? We've put together a 40 second trailer.

08/08/2022

Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 News in August:

Exhibition in the Athelstan Museum: The temporary Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 exhibition in the Athelstan Museum is running throughout August and September and is packed with great things to see. The star attraction is Elizabeth Peacock’s will, including her ‘X’ mark signature. Elizabeth Peacock was the alleged leader of the Malmesbury coven of witches and you can find out what happened to her….Athelstan Museum is free and is open from Tuesday to Saturday between 10:30 am to 4:30pm and Sunday between 11:30am to 3:30pm.

Free Malmesbury Witch Trial Trail on Explore Malmesbury: The new Malmesbury Witch Trial Trail is proving really popular. Packed full of multi-media content you can follow the developing story on a fascinating journey around Malmesbury on your smartphone or on your laptop at home. www.exploremalmesbury.com/ #/trails

Public Release of the Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 films: The three short films made as part of Malmesbury Witch Trial 350 will be released for public viewing on Bank Holiday Monday 29th August. More details soon.

Save the Date: Friday October 14th sees our collaboration with Malmesbury Live Arts. The professional theatre production of ‘Hags’ by Scratchworks Theatre Company.

By popular demand: We have attached all six editions of The Malmesbury Journal 1672 with this post. Together they tell the developing the story of the Malmesbury Witch Trial of 1672 week by week in the style of a C17th newsletter for you to download and keep. They print best just as black and white.