September 05, 2025

352. WITCH: Ursula, The Witch of St. Osyth

18 minutes

In 1582, a healer and midwife named Ursula Kemp was accused of witchcraft by her neighbors—and even by her own son. What followed was one of England’s earliest documented witch trials, filled with dark folklore, chilling confessions, and a skeleton that wouldn’t stay buried. This is the story of the Witch of St. Osyth.

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Sources:

https://www.essexlive.news/news/history/story-witch-ursula-kemp-who-6802161

https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofEngland/Witches-of-Essex/

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG226116

https://witching.org/content/ursula-kemp

https://www.hauntedhappenings.co.uk/haunted-places/ursula-kemps-cottage-st-osyth

https://www.grunge.com/893529/the-tragic-real-life-story-of-ursula-kemp-the-witch-of-st-osyth/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/essex/content/articles/2008/10/30/witches_feature.shtml

https://www.essexmuseums.org/ursula-kemp-st-Osyt

https://thehumanexception.com/episode-40-the-cunning-woman-of-st-osyth-ursula-kemp/

https://www.nationalworld.com/culture/television/ursula-kemp-true-story-real-witch-essex-skull-4231056
https://www.stosythmuseum.co.uk/village-tales/1921-the-witches-skeletons

All Witches, Magic, Murder, & Mystery episodes are a mix of Kara and Megan’s personal thoughts and opinions in response to the information that is publicly available at the time of recording, as well as, in some cases, personal accounts provided by listeners. In regard to these self-reported personal accounts, there can be no assurance that the information provided is 100% accurate.

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By Megan and Kara

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