How Thousands of Europian Women Became “Witches” | Instant Chronicles

Witch Child: The 14-Year-Old Girl Who Escaped A Witch Hunt | The Dark History Of Witch Trials What if a 14-year-old girl was accused of being a witch simply because she knew how to use herbs and medicine? 👉 In 1659 England, Mary Newbury’s grandmother was a herbal healer who helped villagers using traditional remedies. But when one woman died despite her treatment, suspicion quickly turned into an accusation of witchcraft. 👉 Her grandmother was arrested, subjected to brutal “witch tests” and executed — while the villagers turned their attention towards Mary. 👉 Mary escaped England and travelled to the New World, where she found herself inside a strict Puritan settlement. But when her knowledge of herbs helped a sick child recover, the same fear followed her again. 👉 Her story reflects a much larger period in history when thousands of people across Europe and America were accused of witchcraft — often because of disease, famine, religious fear, superstition or simply being different. But were these people really witches… or were they victims of fear? In this episode of Instant Chronicles, we explore the story of Mary Newbury from Celia Rees' Witch Child and the terrifying history that inspired it — from the Great Witch Craze and Malleus Maleficarum to Matthew Hopkins and the infamous Salem Witch Trials. 📌 In This Video We Covered: • Witch Child — Mary Newbury • The Great Witch Craze • History of Witch Hunts • Witch Trials in Europe • Witchcraft and Superstition • Herbal Healers and Witch Accusations • Puritan America • The Malleus Maleficarum • Matthew Hopkins — Witchfinder General • Salem Witch Trials of 1692 • Puritan Settlements in America • Witchcraft Accusations • Religious Fear and Mass Hysteria • The History Behind Witch Trials • Why Were Women Accused Of Witchcraft? • The Dark History Of Witch Hunts 🧠 The Bigger Question Why did thousands of ordinary people become “witches” in the eyes of society? When people could not explain disease, death, failed crops or strange behaviour, they often searched for someone to blame. Women who lived alone, traditional healers, outsiders and people who were simply considered different could become easy targets. From Europe to colonial America, fear of witchcraft created a cycle of suspicion, accusations and trials that destroyed countless lives. But perhaps the most disturbing question is this: What happens when fear becomes stronger than evidence? ⚠️ Disclaimer: This video is created for educational, historical and documentary purposes. The story of Mary Newbury is based on Celia Rees' historical fiction novel *Witch Child*, while the broader historical context is based on documented events and historical records. References to witchcraft, witch trials, accusations and historical punishments are presented in the context of historical events and beliefs of the period. This video does not promote superstition, violence, persecution or discrimination. The purpose of this documentary is to explore how fear, religion, limited scientific knowledge and mass hysteria shaped one of the darkest chapters of history. #WitchChild #WitchHunt #WitchTrials #SalemWitchTrials #Witchcraft #DarkHistory #HistoryDocumentary #InstantChronicles #GreatWitchCraze #WitchTrialsHistory #MaryNewbury #PuritanAmerica #HistoricalMysteries #TrueHistory #DarkHistoryDocumentary