Manningtree, the Witch Trials, and Folk Stories

A few days ago, I sat on the bench you can just see in the shadow of the large house and spent a few moments homouring Anne West, Helen Clark, Marian Hocket, and Anne Cooper, who were cruelly treated by Matthew Hopkins, the self-appointed Witchfinder General.  The pleasant-looking little village green, high on a hill in South Street, Manningtree, is where the four women were hanged after being accused of witchcraft in 1645. At least, that was what I read on a pdf I downloaded called Walking With Witches. 

I was also sititng there waiting for the opening time of Manningtree Museum, just along the high street, which I’d been told was full of information about the 17th Century East Anglian witch trials. When I got to the museum, I learnt that a lot of what I’d just read – and in fact much of what’s online about the area’s witch persecutions – is conjecture, overly romanticised folk stories, and or just fake news. 

While it’s true those poor women were executed in Manningtree, the site of the gallows wasn’t recorded. It might have been there, but more likely was in the old marketplace, which was larger. Nevertheless, South Street is one of the roads where Matthew Hopkins resided. The only other place he is recorded as having lived is the old rectory of Mistley Heath Church. But plenty of other places claim he once dwelt there, especially if they’re tourist attractions. It’s good for business even if it can’t be proven. 

While I was at the museum I bought a booklet called Manningtree ‘Witch-hunts’ – The full facts. It isn’t professionally produced, but it was painstakingly researched and put together by a local historian and the Manningtree Museum and Local History Group. The information inside, I was told, is reliably accurate. The group was also behind the plaque you can see in the photo in the middle of this post.

The picture at the bottom shows Old Knobbley, a huge hollow oak which is the second oldest tree in Essex, at around 900 years. I saw it on the Walking with Witches trail. According to legends it was a sanctuary for witches fleeing persecution. As amazing as the tree is, that’s almost certainly another bit of romantic storytelling.

I should add that Manningtree is now a really delightful town. It’s situated on the Stour and is also famous as part of Constable country. Flatford Mill is about 4 miles away – a pleasant walk along the riverbank.

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