Unexpected Essex

This October, join your host Eri Berry for a three-part deep-dive into the truth behind the Essex witch trials. In this first part, we'll uncover the wider historical context to better understand how we ended up with anti-witchcraft legislation in the first place, as well as identifying likely candidates for the first women executed under these questionable pieces of statute. 
Click here for the show-notes, including image attribution.
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DISCLAIMER:
While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.
Time Stamps:
00:00:00 - Intro
00:00:21 - Context for the episode
00:01:57 - The Origins of Magic
00:06:38 - The Early Modern Era and how Henry VIII caused religious chaos…
00:10:04 - The Religious Pendulum begins to swing…
00:13:46 - Elizabeth I takes the throne
00:14:53 - Essex begins its witch trials
00:22:37 - Next time, and thank you!
00:23:15 - Credits
 
Key Names and Places: 
Essex, Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Mary I, Elizabeth I, Lady Jane Grey, Great Waltham, Chelmsford, Hatfield Peverel.

On this episode of Unexpected Essex, your host Eri Berry deep dives into the murky world of 18th century highway robbery. Today, we answer the question: just who was Dick Turpin, how was he connected to Essex, and exactly what was the real deal with highwaymen? 
This episode explores the life of highwayman Dick Turpin, the circumstances of his eventual execution, and how society came to romanticise the figure of the gentleman highwayman in popular culture. Turpin was born in Hempstead, a small village in the north west of Essex. Initially working as a butcher, it isn't long before he's drawn into a shady world of poaching, robbery, and even murder. 
 
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:17 The Concept of the Highwayman
04:13 The Origin of Dick Turpin
07:25 The Gregory Gang a.k.a The Essex Gang
21:36 Turpin on the Run
26:53 A Fateful Letter
29:15 The Trial
31:02 Execution
34:25 The Legend Begins
38:52 The Myth of the Highwayman in the 20th Century
40:44 Introducing the Turpin Tally
41:19 Thanks for Listening!
41:48 Credits
 
Key Names and Places
Dick Turpin, Hempstead, Epping Forest, York, London, Thaxted, Waltham Forest, Lincolnshire

Show Notes and Image Attribution
Click here.

Socials and Subscribe Links:
YouTube: Unexpected Essex
Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026
TikTok: @unexpectedessex
Facebook: Unexpected Essex 
Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk 
Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER: 
While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

In this episode, Eri Berry brings you the stories of three areas of Essex that have been through significant transformations to demonstrate the positive impact of what can happen when we work with nature rather than against her.
Join Eri on a journey to discover the conservation work that has taken place across three locations in Essex: Abbotts Hall Farm, Wallasea Island, and Spains Hall in Finchingfield. Each of these places has a story to tell and a lesson to learn about the potential solutions to flooding that can found through the restoration of saltmarshes and the reintroduction of native species.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Essex's Ecosystem
01:28 Abbotts Hall Farm
04:51 Wallasea Island
13:02 Spains Hall
17:06 Conclusion and ways you can help
18:20 Thanks for listening and credits

Show Notes and Image Attribution:
Click here. 

Key Names and Places:
Abbotts Hall Farm, Great Wigborough, Wallasea Island, Finchingfield, Spains Hall, Ealing.

Socials and Subscribe Links:
YouTube: Unexpected Essex
Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026
TikTok: @unexpectedessex
Facebook: Unexpected Essex Page
Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk 
Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER
This episode is not sponsored by any of the organisations discussed, though Eri Berry is a member of the Essex Wildlife Trust. 
While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

When people think of the Peasants' Revolt, usually, the focus is on the Kentish Rebels. But what about the rebels north of London? Join Eri Berry as she explores how the 1381 Peasants' Revolt kicked off in Essex, the stories of the key players from this rebellion and the legacy they left behind. 
In 1381, widespread anger over unfair tax burdens, economic hardship, and centuries of feudal control sparked the Peasants' Revolt - one of the most famous popular uprisings in English history. In this episode, Eri traces the origins of the rebellion and explore the pivotal role played by the people of Essex, who fired the very first sparks of revolt and marched alongside Wat Tyler to demand fundamental change from the young King Richard II.

Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:26 Life as a Peasant
02:23 How Essex is involved
03:15 The Feudal System
07:39 The London Social Hierarchy
07:59 The Impact of the Plague
08:57 Some questionable legislation
14:13 Poll Tax
18:10 The Great Rumour and attempted tax collection
20:26 Meanwhile in Kent…
22:35 John Ball
25:57 Richard meets the Rebels
27:22 The Flemish Weavers
32:13 The Rebels' Demands
33:07 Meanwhile in the Tower of London…
35:28 The Death of Wat Tyler
37:10 Rebellions elsewhere quashed
38:35 The legacy of the Peasants' Revolt
40:38 Thanks for listening!
41:00 Credits

Key Names and Places:
King Richard II, John of Gaunt, Thomas Baker, John Ball, Wat Tyler, Essex, Fobbing, Brentwood, Colchester, London, Tower of London, Canterbury, St. Albans

Show Notes and Attribution:
Please click here.

DISCLAIMER
While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Socials and Subscribe Links:
YouTube: Unexpected Essex
Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026
TikTok: @unexpectedessex
Facebook: Unexpected Essex Facebook Page
Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk 
Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com

Join Eri Berry as she explores a sweeter side of Essex in this deep dive into the history of one of the county's most beloved products - Tiptree Jam! 
Eri has loved Tiptree Jam since she was a child and thoroughly enjoyed researching the history of Wilkin and Sons Limited who have been manufacturing jam in the village of Tiptree for over 140 years. From humble beginnings to a globally recognised brand, this episode pays tribute to a truly Essex company. Sit back, grab a cup of tea, maybe some toast or a scone, and enjoy!
With special thanks to Wilkin & Sons Ltd for kindly granting permission to use some of their images for the video!
Time Stamps: 
00:00 Intro
01:05 Tiptree's Origin
02:13 John Mechi
03:08 Arthur Charles Wilkin
04:26 The beginning of the jam
07:10 Charles John Wilkin
09:05 The First World War
10:26 Queen Mary's Dolls House
12:10 The Second World War
15:20 The Centenary
16:13 The 1990s and 2000s
18:00 Conclusion
19:04 Thanks for listening and end credits
Key Names/Places:
Tiptree Jam, Wilkin & Sons Ltd., Tiptree, Essex
 
Attribution:
For Show Notes and Image Attribution click here.
https://www.rct.uk/collection/stories/queen-marys-dolls-house/queen-marys-dolls-house/cellar-kitchen-and-pantry - link to the pictures of Queen Mary's Dolls House referenced in the episode. 

DISCLAIMER: This episode was not sponsored by Wilkin & Sons Ltd. This is a passion project, and is not affiliated with them in any way. 
While I do my best to bring you accurate, well-researched content, I’m only human! If you spot a mistake, have a correction, or want to share additional context, please feel free to reach out via email at unexpectedessex@gmail.com.

Socials and Subscribe Links:
YouTube: Unexpected Essex
Instagram: @unexpectedessex2026
TikTok: @unexpectedessex
Facebook: Unexpected Essex Page
Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk 
Contact: unexpectedessex@gmail.com