Episode 1: The Lighthouse Builder

Join your host Eri Berry as we seek to uncover some of the fascinating history of Essex, an underrated and underestimated county in the East of England.

Join your host Eri Berry on the third and final part of this October special where we will meet the infamous Matthew Hopkins and try to uncover the truth behind the title of Witch-Finder General. This era of English history is set against the backdrop of the English Civil War, and along the way, we'll meet magic-obsessed monarchs, dubious court officials, and of course, we will try our best to separate fact from fiction. This episode is dedicated to all victims of witchcraft persecution worldwide, as tragically, it is not confined to the history books.  Time Stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:00:46 A quick recap…00:01:49 James I00:05:45 Charles I00:08:02 The English Civil War kicks off00:12:53 Matthew Hopkins00:15:55 Elizabeth Clarke00:21:16 The Chelmsford Assizes00:23:20 Contemporary critics00:27:00 How does this chapter end?00:29:18 A tribute to those accused of witchcraft00:30:15 The full list of names00:37:59 Credits Images and Sources:For full attribution, please click here for the show notes. 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 [email protected]. Key Names and Places:Matthew Hopkins, Elizabeth Clarke, Chelmsford, Mistley, Manningtree, Essex, Ursley Kempe, St Osyth, John Stearne, John Gaule, James I, Charles I.

This October, join your host Eri Berry for a three-part deep-dive into the truth behind the Essex witch trials. In this second part, we'll search for the truth surrounding the controversial work of magistrate Brian Darcy and the fourteen women he investigated for witchcraft in the village of St Osyth and beyond. CONTENT WARNING: Contains discussions of infant death and child mortality within historical contexts - this episode may not be suitable for all listeners. Time stamps:00:00:00 Intro00:00:29 St Osyth context00:04:26 The first accuser00:12:31 The second accuser00:14:24 Brian Darcy00:18:53 The accusations spread00:20:23 The aftermath00:22:20 Thanks for listening00:23:18 CreditsClick here for the show notes and image attribution!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 [email protected] more Unexpected Essex short form content on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.  

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.Follow Unexpected Essex on social media! TikTok, Instagram, Facebook.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 [email protected] Stamps:00:00:00 - Intro00:00:21 - Context for the episode00:01:57 - The Origins of Magic00:06:38 - 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 throne00:14:53 - Essex begins its witch trials00:22:37 - 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 Intro00:17 The Concept of the Highwayman04:13 The Origin of Dick Turpin07:25 The Gregory Gang a.k.a The Essex Gang21:36 Turpin on the Run26:53 A Fateful Letter29:15 The Trial31:02 Execution34:25 The Legend Begins38:52 The Myth of the Highwayman in the 20th Century40:44 Introducing the Turpin Tally41:19 Thanks for Listening!41:48 Credits Key Names and PlacesDick Turpin, Hempstead, Epping Forest, York, London, Thaxted, Waltham Forest, LincolnshireShow Notes and Image AttributionClick here.Socials and Subscribe Links:YouTube: Unexpected EssexInstagram: @unexpectedessex2026TikTok: @unexpectedessexFacebook: Unexpected Essex Website: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk Contact: [email protected]: 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 [email protected].

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 Intro00:26 Life as a Peasant02:23 How Essex is involved03:15 The Feudal System07:39 The London Social Hierarchy07:59 The Impact of the Plague08:57 Some questionable legislation14:13 Poll Tax18:10 The Great Rumour and attempted tax collection20:26 Meanwhile in Kent…22:35 John Ball25:57 Richard meets the Rebels27:22 The Flemish Weavers32:13 The Rebels' Demands33:07 Meanwhile in the Tower of London…35:28 The Death of Wat Tyler37:10 Rebellions elsewhere quashed38:35 The legacy of the Peasants' Revolt40:38 Thanks for listening!41:00 CreditsKey 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. AlbansShow Notes and Attribution:Please click here.DISCLAIMERWhile 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 [email protected] and Subscribe Links:YouTube: Unexpected EssexInstagram: @unexpectedessex2026TikTok: @unexpectedessexFacebook: Unexpected Essex Facebook PageWebsite: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk Contact: [email protected]

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 Intro01:05 Tiptree's Origin02:13 John Mechi03:08 Arthur Charles Wilkin04:26 The beginning of the jam07:10 Charles John Wilkin09:05 The First World War10:26 Queen Mary's Dolls House12:10 The Second World War15:20 The Centenary16:13 The 1990s and 2000s18:00 Conclusion19:04 Thanks for listening and end creditsKey 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 [email protected] and Subscribe Links:YouTube: Unexpected EssexInstagram: @unexpectedessex2026TikTok: @unexpectedessexFacebook: Unexpected Essex PageWebsite: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk Contact: [email protected]

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 Intro00:28 Essex's Ecosystem01:28 Abbotts Hall Farm04:51 Wallasea Island13:02 Spains Hall17:06 Conclusion and ways you can help18:20 Thanks for listening and creditsShow 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 EssexInstagram: @unexpectedessex2026TikTok: @unexpectedessexFacebook: Unexpected Essex PageWebsite: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk Contact: [email protected] 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 [email protected].

Unexpected Essex host Eri Berry answers the question: how did a man who lived miles from the sea, with no nautical experience, no opportunity to go to university build the world’s first offshore lighthouse? And why isn’t he better known?This episode explores the fascinating life and tragic end of Henry Winstanley, builder of the first offshore lighthouse on the Eddystone rocks off the coast of Plymouth. Winstanley was born in Saffron Walden and grew up dreaming of a career as an architect. A chance meeting with a wealthy London businessman leads to him building his most ambitious project which sadly costs him his life.Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:20 Why Essex?01:26 A misleading poem…02:48 Winstanley’s early life06:18 After the gap year07:47 The house in Littlebury10:13 Why build a lighthouse?12:07 How hard can it be?13:58 How was this funded?16:03 What did the lighthouse look like?19:26 The Great Storm of 170321:52 The later lighthouses22:47 Conclusion23:32 Thanks for listening!24:00 CreditsFor Show Notes and Image Attributions, click here.Key Names/Places/DatesHenry Winstanley, The Lighthouse Builder, 1703, The Great Storm, Plymouth, Saffron Walden, Littlebury, Essex, local history.DISCLAIMERWhile 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 [email protected] and Subscribe Links:YouTube: Unexpected EssexInstagram: @unexpectedessex2026TikTok: @unexpectedessexFacebook: Unexpected Essex PageWebsite: www.unexpectedessex.co.uk Contact: [email protected]