A fact sheet aimed at KS2 level learners explaining the historical and contextual background to the Witchfinder story, and setting out some questions for discussion.

Elle Root of Ipswich Museum talks about how our stereotypical idea of a witch is reflected in a 1960s witch doll. Part of Witchfinder, an arts & heritage project produced by Cohere Arts CIC www.coherearts.org

How to make a witch’s poppet doll using simple craft materials. A worksheet aimed at KS2 learners.

Witchfinder Series Elle Root of Ipswich Museum talks about the old English custom of putting a dead cat in the wall of your house to ward off evil spirits. She presents a mummified cat from Ipswich Museum.

**Witchfinder ** Elle Root of Ipswich Museum talks about the old English custom of concealing shoes within the walls of houses. Part of Witchfinder, an arts & heritage project produced by Cohere Arts CIC www.coherearts.org

‘About Go We’ is a song from the music theatre work Witchfinder. This recording was made at Walpole Old Chapel in Suffolk, and features Claire Bessent as Betsy Gooding, Beau Moseley as Village Child, Robert Gildon as Reverend Gaule, and children from Holton St Peter Primary School. The words of the song include many superstitions that people use to protect themselves from bad luck and ‘evil spirits’. They also include physical attributes that were once seen as proof people were ‘witches’. The names in the final verse refer to animals that were owned by residents of Matthew Hopkin’s home town of Mistley. He accused all their owners of being witches, saying these animals were witch’s familiars.

‘About Go We’ is a song from the music theatre work Witchfinder. This recording was made at Walpole Old Chapel in Suffolk, and features Claire Bessent as Betsy Gooding, Beau Moseley as Village Child, Robert Gildon as Reverend Gaule, and children from Holton St Peter Primary School. The words of the song include many superstitions that people use to protect themselves from bad luck and ‘evil spirits’. They also include physical attributes that were once seen as proof people were ‘witches’. The names in the final verse refer to animals that were owned by residents of Matthew Hopkin’s home town of Mistley. He accused all their owners of being witches, saying these animals were witch’s familiars.

‘About Go We’ is a song from the music theatre work Witchfinder. This recording was made at Walpole Old Chapel in Suffolk, and features Claire Bessent as Betsy Gooding, Beau Moseley as Village Child, Robert Gildon as Reverend Gaule, and children from Holton St Peter Primary School. The words of the song include many superstitions that people use to protect themselves from bad luck and ‘evil spirits’. They also include physical attributes that were once seen as proof people were ‘witches’. The names in the final verse refer to animals that were owned by residents of Matthew Hopkin’s home town of Mistley. He accused all their owners of being witches, saying these animals were witch’s familiars.

A 10 minute film in which four characters from music theatre piece Witchfinder tell their own version of events happening in their village. A discussion piece for KS3-4 students. -who is telling the truth? -can we trust accounts of historical events? -why did people believe in witchcraft during this period? -what impact did Matthew Hopkins and his work have on communities?

PDF inspiration sheet for Art & Design activity - design a witch’s familiar or companion animal. Draw, collage or make a clay model fusing elements of different animals together. Resource produced by [https://www.rockpaperscissors.org.uk] young people’s art programme.