While most people think of witch trials as ancient history, Britain’s last witch was actually arrested in 1944. Helen Duncan, a Scottish medium born in 1897, found herself at the center of a shocking legal case during World War II. She’d become famous for conducting seances where she claimed to communicate with the dead and produce physical manifestations called ectoplasm.
You might wonder how someone could be arrested as a witch in the 20th century. Duncan’s troubles began when she revealed information about the sinking of HMS Barham, a naval secret the government had kept under wraps to mislead German forces. During a seance, she claimed to have contacted the spirit of a deceased sailor from the ship, drawing attention from authorities who were concerned about potential security breaches.
The police raided one of Duncan’s seances in 1944, leading to her arrest under the centuries-old Witchcraft Act of 1735. She was charged with making fraudulent claims about communicating with spirits. The case made headlines across Britain, and Duncan served a nine-month prison sentence. The outdated Witchcraft Act was repealed shortly after her imprisonment, making her case even more remarkable.
Duncan’s story didn’t end there. In 1956, authorities raided another of her seances. Though she wasn’t charged this time, the constant scrutiny took its toll on her health. She passed away at home after dealing with various medical issues, leading to speculation about how her claimed abilities might’ve affected her well-being.
Now, you can learn more about Duncan’s fascinating story in BBC’s ‘Paranormal’ series. Journalist Sian Eleri explores the case in the show’s third series, available on BBC iPlayer. The documentary examines Duncan’s practices, her legal troubles, and the broader implications of her case in British history. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most intriguing historical events aren’t as distant as they might seem.