The Vardø Witch Trials
Lisa WilliamsEveryone knows Salem. Almost nobody knows Vardø.
At the very edge of Europe, above the Arctic Circle, there was a place people believed stood on the boundary between this world… and something else. A place where the Devil could enter the world.
In February 1692, the same month the Salem accusations began, the last victim of the Vardø witch trials was being brought to court. Salem was over in lit... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 8 | Founded | 2 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | HistoryDocumentarySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
How did Norway’s deadliest witch hunt finally come to an end? In the series finale, Professor Liv Helene Willumsen and I follow the last cases and what brought the trials to a stop.
Salem’s witch trials are known all over the world, but few people h... more
It’s spring 1663, and we’re in what Professor Liv Helene Willumsen calls "the most cruel of the panics in Finnmark". An intricate web of denunciations threatens to engulf the women of Vardø and the neighbouring villages.
In this episode, I go search... more
When a new governor, Christoffer Orning, and a well-born Danish exile, Anna Rhodius, arrive in Vardø, a darker idea takes hold: once the Devil has a foothold in a family, he will not let them go. Now the young daughters of accused women are brought b... more
In the winter of 1654, a young woman called Karen Jonsdatter is a long way from home, in a fishing village near Vardø. As well as working as a maid, she has a little business on the side, selling potions and charms to the men in the community.
But i... more
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Reviews
- Trond
Lisa Williams is master and commander of the podcast format. She sets the scene of Finnmark in the 1600-hundereds so well that you can almost smell the salty artic ocean and the tar from the dock construction of downtown Vardoe. The fate of these unfortunate women are masterly narrated by Lisa herself and subject matter experts. Also great use of music, actors and soundeffects. Warmly recommended!
Apple Podcasts5Natron73
Norway5 days ago - Very well done
Well researched, great production value, excellent sound design! I stumbled across The Vardo Witch Trials on Instagram. I needed a new podcast to get me through a renovation project, so I started listening with no real expectations. What a pleasant surprise! I binge listened and loved every minute of it. It’s a new story to me. What a treat. Listening again.
Apple Podcasts5bestgamerevrtru
Canada8 days ago - Haunting, mesmerizing, beautifully, narrated, and researched
This podcast is a must listen for anyone who cares about history, not repeating itself.
We forget that across Europe and the Americas, around 100,000 people – 85% women- were tried as witches, and around 50,000 people tortured to death.
In these times where some of our population points to other parts of our population for being “other“ and unwanted, and the cause of misfortune, we are way too close to history repeating.
I truly appreciate the research and scholarship that has gone into t... more
Apple Podcasts5TravelGiveGlow
United States10 days ago - Fascinating
I’m so impressed with the research Lisa has done to bring these little-known trials to light, and so appreciative that the women’s voices are centered in her retelling.
Apple Podcasts5ALibraryHobbitUnited States12 days ago - Captivating
I’m really enjoying the ‘feel’ of this show.
These stories make you wonder:
Why do they hate us so much?
Apple Podcasts5nikidejong
Austria12 days ago
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #216 | United States/History |
Apple Podcasts | #242 | Canada/History |
Apple Podcasts | #242 |  United Kingdom/History |
Spotify | #161 | Norway/Trending |
Apple Podcasts | #44 | Norway/History |
Apple Podcasts | #82 |  Netherlands/History |
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Vardø Witch Trials
What is The Vardø Witch Trials about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A historically grounded, narrative-driven series that explores Arctic Norway's Vardø witch trials, focusing on how confessions were formed, gender dynamics, and the social networks surrounding accusations. Across episodes, expert historians and local researchers provide archival readings, case studies, and context that connect regional trials to broader European demonology and power structures. Noteworthy is the cinematic blending of court-book transcripts, dramatic storytelling, and on-location context, with a consistent emphasis on women's experiences and the mechanisms of fear that fueled the prosecutions. The show likely appeals to listeners who enjoy deep historical analysis, archival sleuthing, and documentary storytelling with schola... more
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Which podcasts are similar to The Vardø Witch Trials?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Vardø Witch Trials:
1. Dark Histories
2. Lore
3. Vulgar History: Tudors
4. After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal
5. Unexplained
How many episodes of The Vardø Witch Trials are there?
The Vardø Witch Trials launched 2 months ago and published 8 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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What guests have appeared on The Vardø Witch Trials?
Recent guests on The Vardø Witch Trials include:
1. Liv Helene Willumsen
2. Isa Maline Isene
3. Rune Blix Hagen
4. Anya Bergman
5. Reidun Laura Andreassen
6. Johan Morken
7. Jennifer McNabb
8. Trine Kanter Zerwekh
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