[gentle music plays] [puppeteer] The year of our Lord 1645.

England is on its knees.

A kingdom blighted by civil war, plague, but most of all, witchery.

Yet God has sent forth a breed of man to hold these wretches to the cleansing fires of justice.

[children] Witchfinder!

[puppeteer] Yes, I'm the Witchfinder, here to tell the true tale of a wretch called Elizabeth Snell.

She worshiped the devil, got down on her knees, and used his dark powers to murder her niece.

Hang her!

Hang her!

-[puppeteer] Can't hear you!

-[children] Hang her!

[puppeteer] That's better.

Her windpipe gives way, the neck starts to crack.

The weight of her body fractures her back.

[children] Yay!

[puppeteer] Her eyes start to bulge, her bowels open wide.

The last meal she had is no longer inside.

[man] Oh, I didn't know they shat themselves.

[puppeteer] For women like Elizabeth are easily led.

She was an only child who never wed, and if there are no further questions-- I've got a question.

[puppeteer] What?

I thought you said she murdered her niece.

-Yes.

-If she was an only child, how did she even have a niece?

-For God's sake.

-Well, he said if anyone's got any questions...

The Witchfinder's meant for the children.

If you had any respect, you'd shut your mouth.

You know that's not a witchfinder, that is a man in a tent.

Well, don't ruin it.

Is there really a man in the tent?

-Oh, well done!

-[puppeteer] It's not a tent, it's a booth.

What is wrong with you?

[man] Why not let it go?

I was just interested.

Yeah, well, you would be, wouldn't you?

And what's that supposed to mean?

Witches!

They found a coven of witches!

-[all yelling] -[puppeteer] Hey, I've not passed the hat round.

What about the... Oh, hello.

[Old Myers] ♪ At the well below the valley-o ♪ ♪ Green grow the lily-o ♪ ♪ Right among the bushes-o ♪ ♪ If you be a man of noble fame ♪ ♪ Then tell me, oh, the father's name ♪ ♪ At the well below the valley-o ♪ ♪ Green grow the lily-o ♪ ♪ Right among the bushes-o ♪ [Gideon] Now that's a lovely hat.

With genuinely lovely, um...

I want to say angles.

-It's by Charles Booth of London.

-Of course it is.

One can't skimp on a hat.

It's very much the, um, the shoe of the head.

The, uh...

The glove of the, um... head again.

It's classic Booth is what it is.

Would you mind if I took it for a stroll?

A stroll?

Just four minutes.

Just, uh, see how she wears.

-We've got five minutes.

-[hat seller] Four!

Thank you!

I just don't see the need for this.

We are talking about a whole coven.

Four witches in a pact with the devil.

You think the magistrate's going to employ me with my old hat?

The brim droops like a dog's tongue.

I like dogs.

I like dogs.

I just don't want their tongue slapping against my forehead.

Okay, there he is.

Ready?

-Ready?

"Yes, I think so."

-Yes, I'm ready, Gideon.

Oh, a little curtsy?

-[sighs] -Goodbye.

[upbeat country music playing] Good Lord.

Good Lord.

Good Lord.

Magistrate Topcliffe.

-[woman coughs] -Good Lord, Magistrate Topcliffe.

I'm so sorry.

Forgive my haste.

I will, of course, have my bookkeeper reimburse you for any crumpling to your garments.

-You have a bookkeeper?

-I have a bookkeeper, yes.

For all the work that's come in since I last saw you.

Still, good day.

Something you wanted?

Oh, no.

No, no.

Just passing through.

I'm on my way to Snetterton to question a suspected witch.

Is it Snetterton?

Hunstanton on the Monday for the trial, then off to Norwich for the possessed chorister, so yeah, Snetterton.

Snetterton, as a favor to the magistrate really.

He's worried that witchery running amok will reflect badly upon him.

The last thing a magistrate needs is panic spreading round the town like the pox.

Oh, for God's sake, Mr. Bannister.

Is that what this is?

-Hmm?

-You grubbing for work?

No-- [scoffs] Work?

[laughs] I already explained, I'm on my way to Snetterton.

Yes, Snetterton's that way.

From over there.

Honestly, if I wanted to investigate the coven, don't you think I'd come round and ask?

No, because you've been told to not come round and ask.

And this is your way of dangling yourself in front of me without doing that.

Popping out on some pre-arranged signal.

The woman has a cough.

-If I needed a-- -[woman coughs] -Jesus wept.

-[coughs] If I needed a witchfinder, there's plenty of them around.

Fine.

I don't have a bookkeeper -and this is-- -Is a borrowed hat.

It's a borrowed hat, yes, which I may ultimately buy.

But what I do have is knowledge, expertise, and quite frankly balls.

Two of them.

Massive.

Enough to tackle the gravest cases of witchery like your coven.

Oh, I've no coven for you.

But...

I do have one thorny case, if you think you and your balls can handle it.

Oh, the three of us will be just fine, I'm sure.

[Old Myers] What's this?

-This is the victim.

-Well, it's a pig.

[Gideon] A pig killed by sorcery.

You should have heard him.

He said I was the town's preeminent witchfinder.

What?

You are?

Trusted with the gravest witchery.

-[squeals] -[chuckles] Decorum, decorum, decorum.

And he said there are a couple of rooms at the tavern waiting for us.

-Just say his name.

-Mr. Topcliffe.

-To the landlady.

-Oh.

-Wouldn't be to me, would it?

-[both laugh] Decorum, decorum.

Do you remember when you used to ride that little pig in the village?

-Genevieve.

-Vaguely.

-Had a heart attack, didn't she?

-All right, all right.

[mysterious guitar music playing] May God have mercy on her soul.

[metal clangs] There weren't enough for you.

Oh, don't apologize, Master.

[Hebble] Don't think I did.

Oh, and, uh... -Yes, Master?

Oh.

-Watch out for the...

Thank you, Master.

[Old Myers] I said I'll trim your beard.

It's what you pay me for.

[Gideon] It's actually not what I pay you for.

Last time you did it, you gave it corners.

It's Hebble, it's Hebble.

-Come away from the window.

-Oh, let him see.

Buzzy!

Your beard's looking full.

[Old Myers] Least he can grow one!

Great to see you, Mr. Hebble.

You here to lobby for this coven job?

There is no coven job, yours was a wasted journey.

Then why take a room?

Oh, nothing much, just been offered another job.

Oh I'm delighted for you.

What is it this time?

Someone else cursed with eczema?

A goat that cries like a baby?

Remember that fruit picker who had a demon in his hedge?

There wasn't a demon in his hedge.

You'd know, you interrogated it.

To rule it out.

-How's my work going?

-I don't remember asking you that.

-Good question.

-Which I didn't ask.

You probably heard about the three witches I convicted near Mattishall for destroying a village in a mudslide.

I've been awarded the freedom of Girton.

Oh, the freedom of Girton!

Wow-ee!

What does that entail?

Is there a fenced off bit that the rest of us aren't allowed into?

No.

So identical to not having the freedom of Girton then.

You must be thrilled.

[chuckles] Is there something else?

No.

Do feel free to go.

-I will.

-And yet you haven't.

Just enjoying the town.

[Gideon] Toss pot.

[tense music playing] Yes.

A baying mob.

Oh, lovely.

-What is baying?

-Um...

It's just something mobs do.

[mob shouting] Egg.

Right.

We pray for protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.

May God rebuke him.

We pray for protection against the wickedness and snares... -[door creaks] -[mob shouting] [Gideon] Yep.

Myers, thank you.

[clears throat] It's like that, is it?

[Gideon sighs] I see women like you... all the time.

Hard, impenetrable, revealing none of what's inside.

But then I set to work and all of a sudden... Oh, look.

She's broken.

-And it all comes out.

-I told you-- Oh, I see.

I'm so sorry, I thought you...

I thought she was...

I told you, I ain't done nothing!

-Silence, fiend!

-Do you have to be that close?

Your... is in my armpit.

-My... is not in her armpit.

-Some of it is.

-It's not, love.

I wouldn't.

-Careful, don't goad the witch.

-I'm not a witch.

Tell that to my pig!

I never wanted him to die.

And how were you planning on getting the... out?

He... bacon, does he?

You have the devil in you, lady.

Contrary, idle, and why does she live alone?

What sort of woman remains unmarried?

Lots of women aren't married.

Your sister's unmarried.

She's not unmarried the way you're unmarried.

There's something not right about the way you're unmarried.

-[Anne] I agree, actually.

-Oh... off, Anne.

I swear to God, I will hit you.

Put the jug down.

No one leaves this room without my express permission.

Old Myers will now bag the suspect's possessions as evidence while I-- -Sorry, who are you?

-I'm the witchfinder.

[sighs] Finally.

You know, they said a witchfinder was coming and I thought, do you know what, good.

Someone with half a brain to sort this out.

I said as long as he knows what he's going on about, I think that's great.

-As long as I-- -Know what you're going on about, then that's great.

I do know what I'm going on about.

Then that's great.

My name is Gideon Bannister.

Some of you may have heard the name.

-That's a no.

-Well, my job is to determine whether the suspect, one Thomasine Gooch, has pledged herself to the devil.

Because let me tell you, I see women like you all the time.

Hard, -impenetrable-- -[Old Myers] Another egg?

No, cheers.

-But then I set to work-- -Another egg?

So that's your egg on the floor?

-Regardless if that's my-- -No, never mind regardless.

You just dropped egg on my floor.

Can we please get back to talking about the maleficium that you're accused of?

I think we should, yeah.

Yeah, I think we should too, yeah.

After you've picked up that egg.

Myers, clear it up.

She didn't drop the egg.

Look, you have two options here.

-The first is you just admit to the crime and we move on.

-Look, I wanna work with you.

-Nice and quick.

-I wanna work with you, you wanna work with me.

-All I'm saying.

-The one we don't want to do if we can avoid it -would be to start stalling... -Just pick up the egg.

-'Cause I would be... -...so that I have to use more imaginative means to try and squeeze the confession out of you.

-Do you see that?

-I do wanna work with you.

-So which course do you want to take?

Which course?

-I can see it there.

[sighs] Myers.

All right.

-Now... -Some there.

Okay.

[Thomasine] Right, now, you can see if you ask around, there really is nothing to it.

Yes, well, there's not nothing to it, is there?

-A pig's dead.

-It was like a hundred.

And then we have your ungodly behavior, your repellent character.

-I like a drink.

-Yes, this is before we even discuss Brown Peter.

-My chicken?

-Your imp.

Witnesses saw a demon in animal form approaching your dwelling to suckle at your teat.

-Be gone, foul creature!

In Christ's name, be gone!

-[chicken squawks] It's a chicken.

Myers.

"The beast strode to the door with a purposeful gait."

That's how they walk.

They don't stroll around whistling, do they?

Then one wonders how this whole this has arisen.

You know what you could do instead of wondering -is ask things.

-Yeah, you'd love that, wouldn't you?

Always twisting and pulling at things with unnecessary questions.

What is a necessary question?

Do I have a plow behind me?

Are you done with that chicken?

Do I have a lump?

I thought witchfinders were meant to ask questions.

You're just saying stuff.

That witchfinder who's looking into the coven, he asked loads of questions.

Well, for your information, there is no coven.

For your information, there is a coven.

I thought there was, yeah.

Then why would your magistrate specifically tell me there is no coven?

Well, maybe he didn't want to give you the work 'cause he didn't want to give you anything serious.

Oh.

[upbeat folk music playing] [sighs] ...ing hell.

[mob shouting] Is it not true... that you did enter into a pact with these women to do the devil's bidding?!

[mob shouting] That you convened a sabbat and together put a pox upon the Ferris children?

God rest their souls.

[mob] Amen.

For it is clear to me that you have allowed the devil... Buzzy, you look like the cat who's watching the other cat get the cream.

A real sour puss.

[Gideon] Excuse me.

And to seal this pact... did you not lie with Satan... carnally?

-[mob groans] -[man] Disgusting.

Did you not lie with Satan carnally?!

Simple question, love.

Did you... the devil?

-I did.

-[mob groans] I did!

Two words that are truly damning.

Two words that point to one word.

Witch!

[mob heckling] Ohhh.

He's good, isn't he?

[chuckles] -Yeah, fantastic.

-He's good.

You know, different from you.

Different.

-Yeah, he is different from me.

-Not better, just different.

You wouldn't want this case though, would you?

-Three dead kids?

-I would bloody love three dead kids.

I'd love three dead kids.

Some proper witchcraft.

Rather than this he-said-she-said domestic quarrels.

While all the best work goes to this -bellowing ape!

-Mm, I like apes.

I like apes.

I just don't like them nicking my bloody work.

Topcliffe...

Excuse me.

You said there was no coven.

Those were your exact words.

Yeah, no, no, no, no.

My exact words were, "There's no coven for you."

That's cute.

Come on.

Everyone has their level.

Look, if you think I'm going to ask John Stearne, one of the most respected witchfinders in the country, who happens to be passing through town and offers his assistance-- John Stearne?

That man was John Stearne?

But he's the right-hand man to Matthew Hopkins, the Witchfinder General.

Is there something you wanted?

-Me?

-Yes.

No, no.

Just thinking about the Witchfinder General.

[mysterious guitar music playing] [laughter] And because they were twins, you couldn't tell which was which.

[all laugh] There you go, boys.

Yeah, another bowl of cherries for the table.

You've not paid for these yet.

Paid?

This is John Stearne.

Is that supposed to mean something to me?

Well, let's see.

Does your daughter mean anything to you?

-What?

-Your daughter.

The one who sneaks off every night to fetch off the devil.

My daughter?

Fetching off the devil?

Who's saying that?

Well, I did and you just have, so that's two already.

-Well, I only said it 'cause-- -See how quickly these things catch fire?

That's how quickly your daughter's hair will catch fire when I have her burned as a witch.

I'll get your cherries.

I hate having to do that, but it's just quicker.

[all laugh] Sorry, you were saying about scripture?

Ah, now, it's important.

I can quote scripture.

I could say, "A woman that hath a familiar spirit shall surely be put to death."

Now, some witchfinders will be able to tell you the chapter and verse-- Leviticus 20:27.

Whereas others like me, like Matthew, that ilk, -we're not bothered.

-No.

We are more focused on the bigger picture.

Who cares?

Yes, might not be Chapter 20 in the end.

-It might not be Chapter 20.

I'm not sure.

-Not sure about what?

Well, which one or what he was saying about the bigger picture.

You need to, um...

In fact, I'll talk to him.

I have to say, I have written a witchfinding pamphlet myself which I've got here.

We'll just find a seat.

It is called an Observation of the Study of the Nature of the Foulness of Witches.

Maybe one too many of-the's there, -but my plan is-- -You're in my seat.

And off I go.

Lovely.

Happy to stand, love standing.

Now, my name is, um, Gideon Bannister.

I loved, loved your prosecuting earlier.

Some lovely scripture.

Lovely scripture.

Crowd in the palm of your hands.

Fantastic.

Peppering of Latin.

And a little tonic for loosening the tongue.

Red cap mushroom, crushed and dried.

[chuckles] You will excuse Mr. Hebble.

You might have to resort to the use of intoxicants to secure a conviction, but witchfinders like John and me prefer to rely on scriptures, scruples and scrutiny.

The three scr's.

And I believe, if I'm not wrong, that belongs to you.

And apologies for that.

Now if you'll excuse us, Mr. Hebble, John and me are talking about my witchfinding pamphlet.

That's the second time you've said "John and me."

There is no "John and me."

It's not like you're a proper witchfinder.

Well, I am a witchfinder.

Because you have a witchfinder's hat?

And the cloak?

Put a scarecrow in a farmer's hat and coat, does that make it a farmer?

I'm engaged in a case across the square.

Oh.

Let me know if it comes to trial.

I'm sure Mr. Hopkins would be very keen to hear of a good new witchfinder.

-Tomorrow morning.

-They're gonna try her tomorrow morning?

-Yep.

-On stage or-- On stage.

All welcome.

I might come to that.

Please do.

Please do.

Please do.

[Gideon exhales nervously] [blows out] [Thomasine] Does your head fill the whole hat or have you paid for more hat than you need?

If I were you, I'd concern myself with the charges leveled against me.

And try not to be intimidated by my manner up there.

I'll try not to be.

I can be a little fearsome, especially when I hit top volume.

Fearsome, understood.

Equally, don't be thrown by the, uh, flourishes that accompany my work.

Dare say I'll manage.

You do realize you're on trial for witchery?

You do realize I've lived here my whole life?

I drink in the tavern.

My dad used to sell meat to everyone here.

-I'm Meaty Gooch's girl.

-Meaty Gooch?

When they find out what the Griffins have been saying, you're just gonna get laughed at.

Oh, Master Gideon, Master Gideon.

-You know how I've been looking for Mr. Stearne?

-You found him?

-No.

-Staggering.

But his horse is still here, so he's still in town.

Well, in town is no good to us.

He needs to be out there bloody watching.

This is how John Stearne came into the employ of Matthew Hopkins.

Public prosecution like this could be the making of me, so stand up and go and find him.

[knock on door] [Thomasine] Does that mean it's starting?

[Gideon] Yes.

Come on, let's go.

Head held high.

Out we go.

Aw, Mary's here.

-Shut up.

Shut up!

-Mary!

You are a woman of God, are you not?

Yes.

Testifying under oath before the Lord?

Yes.

And you've seen this woman at close quarters?

Yes.

Formed a view of her character?

-Yes.

-Shaped, no doubt, by the inexplicable death of your pig?

Yes.

Do you believe Thomasine Gooch to be a witch?

Yes, I do.

Yes.

-[mob heckling] -[man] Burn her!

"Yes, I do.

Yes."

Four words.

Or two words... twice bookended by a third, that are truly damning.

Thank you.

Bit quicker.

My name is Gideon Bannister.

Some of you may know me.

And I'm here today-- that's unbelievable.

And I'm here today in the presence of your magistrate, Mr. Topcliffe, and I believe Mr. John Stearne is with us today... Um, no, not quite yet... ...to present the case against Thomasine Gooch who used sorcery which led to the demise of... Goodwife Griffin's pig, cherished, as it was, like a member of her own family.

-Definite likeness.

-Pardon me?

Nothing.

I'm every so sorry, does this amuse you?

-A bit, yeah.

-A bit, does it?

Then it might amuse you to hear that you are charged with the crime or maleficium, or harm by sorcery.

Well, which one is it?

-What?

-Maleficium or harm by sorcery?

Maleficium is harm by sorcery.

Would it not have just been easier to say harm by sorcery?

Quicker to say maleficium.

Not if you have to explain that it's harm by sorcery.

[Gideon] I wasn't to know that you didn't know what maleficium was.

Maybe next time just say harm by sorcery.

Unless you think it sounds better in Latin.

Up to you.

Up to you.

English or Latin... you made a pact with the devil.

I'm not being funny, but the only ones that have accused me of being a witch are the Griffins.

Ask anyone.

Uh, Susan!

Susan Archibald.

Or the Morrows.

John Morrow, Judy Morrow.

Ask any of them and they'll vouch for me.

The Morrows described you as ungodly.

What?

Goodwife Archibald refers to you as a, um... Well, I won't say the word, but it becunts with the letter C. You people... My God.

If I was a witch, you lot would know about it.

I'd cast a spell to put ale in the well to liven you lot up a bit.

Maybe get you to admit to the ungodly stuff that you do.

Like sneaking across the square at 5:00 AM to get back into bed before your wife wakes up.

-I said I sleepwalk.

-Or telling your sister that her hair looks nice piled up like that when actually, she looks like she's got pie on her head.

All of you lot have got something to hide, but no, I'm the witch.

Oh, at last, a confession.

-No, I-- No.

-[Gideon] No, no, no, no.

-[mob heckling] -I think we're still waiting for John Stearne.

I think the case for the prosecution rests.

Uh, right.

Prepare the defendant.

[mob heckling] Gideon, where are you going?

They're just about to announce it.

Pointless, Myers.

I'm fed up.

Traipsing around to these stupid towns.

Your Snettertons and your Banhams and your... -Girton.

-Yes, Girton, exactly.

Poxy little towns with stupid little cases.

Are you hungry, Gideon?

I'm hungry for more, Myers.

I thought you did very well up there.

-Very well.

You were up all night writing that speech.

-Yes.

For John Stearne to hear.

And he didn't even show up.

Is that not him?

Is that not him?

[Gideon] Mr. Stearne.

So you saw the trial, then.

Sorry if you heard any of that.

Truth be told, I've had a bit of a fallow period.

An annus calamitas if you like.

I'm sure you've been there.

Just saying, sure you've been there, John.

[somber music playing] In fact, I'll take that back.

I'm not sure you've been there.

In fact, I'm positive you haven't and I know that you won't, John.

Have I upset you, John?

John?

Oh, God.

I think you've hurt yourself a little bit, John.

There are one or two flies just near your mouth.

Yeah, one's gone in.

It's gone into your mouth, John.

-Gideon.

-It was on your lip, and then it's just marched into your mouth, bold as brass.

-Gideon.

-Don't inhale, John.

Gideon, he's dead.

He must have drunk all the ale, come in, slipped on the straw, then impaled himself on that, ugh, that metal thingy.

What an idiot.

What an idiot.

Showing off, probably!

Well, someone's gonna have to tell the Witchfinder General he's gonna need a new right-hand man.

[Gideon] I mean, yes, although... goodness knows where Matthew Hopkins is.

He's not an easy man to pin down.

Oh, it says here Mr. Stearne's gonna meet him.

In Chelmsford on Friday for a big showpiece witch trial.

Shame you're here.

Well, there won't be a shortage of qualified witchfinders far closer to hand.

Yeah, but then again, they don't know that Mr. Stearne's dead.

Do they?

Or that Mr. Hopkins is headed for Chelmsford.

You'd have been able to break the news.

You'd have been the first witchfinder on the spot with the witch who killed his friend.

I thought you said he slipped on the hay.

You told me witches make puppets of the people they want to bewitch.

She made this to put a hex on him.

Look.

I found it in her house.

It's a shame the trial's done.

I don't think they'd take too kindly to you whisking that witch away.

They're gonna want to see her burn.

[sighs] Gideon?

[mob shouting] Topcliffe!

Magistrate Topcliffe!

I'm sorry, excuse me!

Excuse me!

Magistrate Topcliffe, I need the suspect!

-What?!

-I've got to take the suspect!

-What?!

-I've got a letter!

-What letter?

-This one.

Received it just now.

It's from the Court of Assizes, saying, and this is bloody annoying...

I need to take the suspect there to have a trial there.

-What?

-[mob shouting] No!

And the worst of it, I need to take her immediately.

[Thomasine] Well, what does it say?

[Topcliffe] Well, actually, yeah.

Let's hear the letter.

You want me to read the letter?

-Yes.

-[woman] Read it.

[mob shouting in agreement] Happily read the letter.

It says: "To Mr. Bannister"...

Pardon me, a bit of phlegm.

"You shall immediately please transport the defendant Thomasine..." -Gooch.

-"...Gooch," which is what it says here in black and white, "...to the Court of Assizes where she will be tried... by a judge," obviously, "that we may more swiftly expunge the pernicious shadow of witchery that looms long over this large land."

Which I thought was rather florid but still quite nicely phrased.

All of the L's.

Looms long, large land-- We know what makes it florid.

"Yours," wrapping it up now, "the Master of the Rolls, and Lord Chancellor of the Bar."

There's your letter.

I don't have any questions, unless you guys do?

[mob shouting] [theme music playing]