Halloween Special Witches' Familiars

Is your cat the devil in disguise? Probably not, although they may act like it sometimes! But once upon a time, they would have been accused of luring you into witchcraft. In Britain in the 16th and 17th centuries witch hunting became an obsession and supposed ‘witches’ were put on trial, and some were even sentenced to death. Being an animal lover was considered a sure sign that someone was practicing witchcraft. Friendliness towards cats, rabbits or dogs could lead to accusations of witchcraft, as these animals, known as familiars, were suspected of working for the devil. One of those accused of witchcraft and seen with familiars was Elizabeth Clarke, a poor, disabled woman from Essex. Join Rosie and historian Dr Romany Reagan as they uncover Elizabeth’s story and the strange tale of the witches’ familiars. [Ad] Wild Tales is sponsored by Cotswold Outdoor, your outside retailer and epic guides to adventure. Quick breathers, calming walks or heart-pounding hikes. We feel better when we get out more. Find quality kit and 50 years of outdoor wisdom. Plus, supporters save 15% in-store and online. Feel in your element, in the elements, at Cotswold Outdoor. Production: Host: Rosie Holdsworth Producers: Rosie Toy and Katy Kelly Sound Editor: Jesus Gomez Contributor: Dr Romany Reagan Discover More: Find out more about witchcraft: Uncover folklore, legends, myths and lost histories from the British Isles with Dr Romany Reagan: Watch a video of this podcast on the National Trust’s YouTube channel: If you’d like to get in touch with feedback or a story idea you can contact us at podcasts@nationaltrust.org.uk

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Halloween Special Witches' Familiars is an episode from National Trust Podcast by Audioboom.

This episode is 13:21 long.

This episode was published on Oct 29, 2025.

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