🏰 Ben Paites 🏛️
@benpaites.bsky.social
Senior Curator at Colchester Museums. Mainly Roman archaeology and LGBTQ+ history. Also cat dad to Artemis and enthusiastic Gaymer. He/Him
Author of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds: https://www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-finds.html
Website: https://www.ben-paites.com
Author of 50 LGBTQ+ Finds: https://www.amberley-books.com/50-lgbtq-finds.html
Website: https://www.ben-paites.com
Of course, there were some cases where the individuals accused were genuinely believed to be magical practitioners doing evil, such as in Pendle and the case of Ursula Kemp in St Osyth. However, for a lot of cases there was a clear ulterior motive to these accusations.
November 16, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Of course, there were some cases where the individuals accused were genuinely believed to be magical practitioners doing evil, such as in Pendle and the case of Ursula Kemp in St Osyth. However, for a lot of cases there was a clear ulterior motive to these accusations.
Recent study of these cases have suggested that some of the women who were accused, many of whom “chose to be single” (ie hadn’t married a man yet), may have been in secret same-sex relationships. Though perhaps accusations of witchcraft were easier to throw around than lesbianism.
November 16, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Recent study of these cases have suggested that some of the women who were accused, many of whom “chose to be single” (ie hadn’t married a man yet), may have been in secret same-sex relationships. Though perhaps accusations of witchcraft were easier to throw around than lesbianism.
Similarly, while Catholicism was only recently outlawed, the descriptions of witches gathering in secret and speaking in strange tongues whilst reading from a book has clear indications that they were practicing Catholic Mass (see also antisemitism).
November 16, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Similarly, while Catholicism was only recently outlawed, the descriptions of witches gathering in secret and speaking in strange tongues whilst reading from a book has clear indications that they were practicing Catholic Mass (see also antisemitism).
Although the Jewish population of England had been expelled in 1290, undoubtedly some remained hiding their true faith in whatever way possible. Certainly some of the wording and descriptions of supposed “witches” throughout this period draw parallels with Jewish stereotypes.
November 16, 2025 at 10:19 AM
Although the Jewish population of England had been expelled in 1290, undoubtedly some remained hiding their true faith in whatever way possible. Certainly some of the wording and descriptions of supposed “witches” throughout this period draw parallels with Jewish stereotypes.
The vast majority of victims were women, some of whom had disabilities. The notion that a woman could survive without a husband, whilst having chronic medical conditions, was laughable to some in this period. Therefore, the devil must have been helping them…
November 16, 2025 at 10:17 AM
The vast majority of victims were women, some of whom had disabilities. The notion that a woman could survive without a husband, whilst having chronic medical conditions, was laughable to some in this period. Therefore, the devil must have been helping them…
Thank you. If you ever want a visit you’d always be welcome. We have lots of Bronze Age material.
November 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Thank you. If you ever want a visit you’d always be welcome. We have lots of Bronze Age material.
I’m just surprised as we hardly get any waterlogged finds in this part of the country. Very exciting find then indeed 😁 thanks, Peter!
November 15, 2025 at 12:12 PM
I’m just surprised as we hardly get any waterlogged finds in this part of the country. Very exciting find then indeed 😁 thanks, Peter!
IF it is Bronze Age, that’s the only way the wood could be preserved. However, it might be more recent and incorrectly dated. Sadly I didn’t have time to see if we have any recorded context for it.
November 14, 2025 at 11:01 PM
IF it is Bronze Age, that’s the only way the wood could be preserved. However, it might be more recent and incorrectly dated. Sadly I didn’t have time to see if we have any recorded context for it.
“What caused this fire?”
“Look, the sprites! They’re flying off into the night…”
“Look, the sprites! They’re flying off into the night…”
November 10, 2025 at 1:35 PM
“What caused this fire?”
“Look, the sprites! They’re flying off into the night…”
“Look, the sprites! They’re flying off into the night…”
Sounds good. Athens sure has plenty of great museums 😁 enjoy! And if you’ve not been before, make sure to check out Little Kook!
November 9, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Sounds good. Athens sure has plenty of great museums 😁 enjoy! And if you’ve not been before, make sure to check out Little Kook!
Well done both of you! You should both be very very proud 😁 now, enjoy Athens!
November 9, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Well done both of you! You should both be very very proud 😁 now, enjoy Athens!
They were found under a big letter R for Roman.
November 6, 2025 at 8:44 PM
They were found under a big letter R for Roman.