The Discovery of Witches

By: Matthew Hopkins

Narrated by: Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot

Length: 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

FNH Audio presents an unabridged reading of The Discovery of Witches. In 1645 Matthew Hopkins began his career as Witchfinder General. He travelled the country searching for witches and wizards, those he found, he had put to death. Questions were raised by judges and priests when he they saw him convicting hundreds of men and women. To answer their questions Matthew wrote and published this explanation of his methods and motivations.

©2011 Matthew Hopkins (P)2011 FNH Audio

A view into Mathew Hopkins mind

What did you love best about The Discovery of Witches?

It is rare that a non-academic like me gets a direct view into the mind of one of the most infamous people in English history. This is an excelent reading of what must have been a pamphlet, and I enjoyed it very much, and have listen to it many, many times.

What did you like best about this story?

Mathew Hopkins reasoning. Wacky, but in the seventeenth century mindset, it would have made since.

What does Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

I dont know. But his voice sounds authentic, and he fits the book well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No.

The words of a famous Witchfinder

This pamphlet may be of particular interest to anyone who has watched the TV series “good omens” and/or read the novel. It was written by the 17th century British witchfinder Matthew Hopkins, who is mentioned in both. In it he addresses a number of criticisms which he apparently encountered, and responds to them. It is a really fascinating look at how this guy thinks he can identify witches and the way that he attempts to justify his activities. I would also suggest this for witches, warlocks, etc., because I suspect that the future witchhunts in the Anglophone world will use similar techniques. Know your enemy.

Totally bizarre to the modern mind

It actually makes you understand how easily people are lead and puts jihadist in perspective

Satan's Scourge

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." Stating, straightaway, that Bible axiom, in the words of the 17th century Witch Finder General, Matthew Hopkins, the narrator, Felbrigg Napoleon Herriot, brings to the 21st century a pamphlet, written, in the first person, by that 17th century zealot. In it Mr. Hopkins gives reasons for, defends and, righteously as far as he is concerned, justifies his campaign and methods against those who stooped to the abominal practice of witchcraft, in eastern England, at the time of the English civel war (1640tys). He tells of an earlier encounter with demons, in the mixed up forms of animals, with names like, Vinegar Tom. These horrid monstrosties seeking, as "witches familiars", to suck upon the secret teat of a witch. They find only frustration.



Hopkins uses scriptual precedent to argue for the practice of "swimming a witch" and the same with other methodologies for seeking them out. His ways are lawful. Only the geniune witch need fear him. Rediculous stories of flying on broomsticks have no place as evidence.



Of historical interest and told well.