Friday 7 September 2012

Channel 5: The King's War On Witches Revealed

Last night on Channel 5 there was a documentary called The King's War On Witches: Revealed.

Part of the description of what the programme is about, on the Channel 5 website, says: "In 1597 King James VI of Scotland published 'Daemonology', a handbook on how to recognise and destroy, witches. The book explored the threat that 'those Detestable slaves of the Devil', posed to James himself. It fuelled waves of witch hunting throughout Britain."

I've just watched The King's War On Witches on catchup and thought it was rather good. It includes comments from renowned historians Professor Ronald Hutton and Malcolm Gaskill, author of Witchcraft: A Very Short Introduction, as well as scenes shot at the Museum of Witchcraft in Cornwall.

You can see it here: http://www.channel5.com/shows/revealed/episodes/the-kings-war-on-witches-revealed

Previous related posts
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/03/review-witchcraft-very-short.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/08/boscastle-and-museum-of-witchcraft_3235.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2010/09/charge-of-goddess-conference-2010.html

6 comments:

Greyhawk Grognard said...

Alas, it's blocked for those of us in North America. Can some kind soul post it on Youtube, perhaps?

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this. I hadn't realised it had been on TV. Just watched it. I'd love to spend the day with Ronald Hutton, just listening to what he has to say!

Babs

Anonymous said...

Joseph, it's on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o376BljBoJQ

Anonymous said...

If I remember correctly, channel 4 had a documentary about Gerald Gardner in the pipeline earlier this year, do you know if it has been shown yet, is it still coming up or has it been shelved?
Thanks!

Badwitch said...

Indeed a documentary about Gerald Gardner was planned for earlier this year - I blogged about the planned schedule, but it wasn't shown then and I apologised that my info wasn't correct - http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2012/02/correction-wicca-man-tv-schedule.html

I haven't yet heard when it is actually due to be shown. If anyone else knows, please tell me.

bamphaknee said...

Would anyone know where I can buy this documentary? I know you can watch it for free but I would like to have a copy as well