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Episode details

Sounds,26 Feb 2026,41 mins

The Deadly Arctic Witch Trials

After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal

Available for over a year

It all started when a huge storm drowned 40 men on Christmas Eve, 1617. The people of Vardø, northern Norway, needed someone to blame. What followed were devastating witch trials which featured one of the highest execution rates in Europe, and implicated the town's women and the surrounding indigenous population. Joining Anthony and Maddy to delve into this icy world is author and historian Marion Gibson. This episode was edited by Tim Arstall. Produced by Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Freddy Chick. All music from Epidemic Sounds. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal is a History Hit podcast.

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