1.1 the existence and growth of scepticism Flashcards
1
Q
types of witchcraft
2 different types of witchcraft in Britain… 1580 beliefs?
A
- witches were able to harm farm animals or crops by supernaturally interfering with nature (maleficium)
- the belief that witches held a convenant with the Devil was common after the publication Malleus Maleficarum (the hammer of witches) in 1486. It acted as a guidebook for witch hunters, and set out exactly how to convict a witch.
- The idea that witches held a pact with the Devil was common throughout Europe
- 1580: belief was well established, this book was indirectly responsible for the deaths of thousands
2
Q
Malleus Malficarum
Pope Innocent VIII proclamation
A
witches were blamed for unpredictable weather, poor harvest and starvation
3
Q
malleus Malficarum
who produced it?
A
- 2 members part of the inquisition
- Heinrich Kramer and Jacob Sprenger
4
Q
malleus Malficarum
3 parts
A
1 effect of witches, why women are likely to become witches
2 different types of witcchraft + how to investigate them
3 justifying why unusual legal proceedings are needed
5
Q
Witchcraft and the Reformation
malleus and the catholic church
A
- intended to counter a long standing threat to the catholic church
- with the reformation, there were lots of accusations protestants were fostering witches
6
Q
Witchcraft and the Reformation
what did the protestants criticise?
A
- the catholic church’s focus on rituals rather than faith alone
7
Q
Witchcraft and the Reformation
what did Elizabeth I establish?
A
- protestant church settlement in 1559 that held prayer as more important than the sacraments of the Catholic Church
8
Q
Witchcraft and the Reformation
puritans and witchcraft
A
- a belief in witchcraft and the devil was central to protestant faith
- in 16th/17th centuries, puritanism emerged, who viewed the celebrations and decorations present in the protestant church as ungodly and distracting
- lots of leading witch hunters were puritans
9
Q
witches and familiars
beliefs around familiars
A
- supernatural creatures representing the Devil
- took the shape of animals
- In England, they were believed to have used the Devil’s Mark to suck blood, and would assist the witch by carrying out acts on their behalf
- shape shifting qualities and affectionate names
10
Q
witches and familiars
interrogations of the witch and her familiar
+++ EG
A
- familiar would appear when the witch was alone, urging them to make a pact with the Devil
- Familiar could be given by someone else, like a mother to her daughter
- Eg. 2 women, a Widow Bridge and her sister Margaret Ley, were accused of witchcraft in Liverpool in 1667, they both claimed they had been given spirits by their mother 30 years before
- many accused were struggling financially, and the Devil promised them riches while giving them a familiaer
11
Q
witches and familiars
familiars were used to
A
- cause harm and damage property
- in return, they were rewarded with the blood of a witch Eg. 1682, one witness recounted seeing an unknown cat jumping through the window of one of the accused
12
Q
witchcraft and the law
prosecutions in England before 1550
A
- rare
- with the exception of scattered trials with focuses of individuals accused of ahrm through magic occasionally
13
Q
witchcraft and the law
3 acts of parliament making witchcraft illegal
A
- 1542, under Henry VIII REPEALED 1547, by Edward VI, made using withcraft to find treasure, harma a person or their property, or to discover waht had happened to stolen goods, a capital offence
- 1563 made it illegal to invoke evil spirits for any purpose. The death penalty was only imposed if the act of witchcraft resultedi n death. If an animal was injured, the witch was given just 1 year of imprisonment.
- 1604 retained the death penalty if the person died, but also introduced it for lesser offences, such as destroying livestock or goods, or attempted murder
14
Q
witchcraft and the law
how many people convicted on the Home Circuit
A
- 200: covers Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Surrey, and Sussex between 1558-1736)
15
Q
identifying witches
who was more likely to be accused?
A
- physically deformed or those who stood out
- the socially awkard, particularly older women
- men were not free though
- neighbours would often look to find a hidden witch
16
Q
identifying witches
tests to be deployed
A
- scratch in order to break the spell by drawing blood
- the swimming test: it was believed the water would reject a witch
- whether a witch could recite the lord’s prayer
- warts, moles, or extra nipples
- starvation/sleep deprivation
17
Q
identifying witches
the inquisition
A
catholics would root out and punish anyone who was protestant
18
Q
identifying witches
16th century beliefs in witchcraft, by 1750? what were the attitudes, why?
when was witchcraft legislation repealed?
A
- 16th c. : belief in witchcraft very well enstrenched.
- 1750: sceptical attidues
due to the development of more scientifc and rational thought
- the rise of ‘dubious’ cases
- in england witchcraft legislation was repealed in 1736
19
Q
THE BOY OF BURTON 1596-1597
thomas darling’s story: summary
A
- February 1596
- he fell ill and began having hallucinations, which became worse when the new testament was read out to him.
- Darling claimed when he lost his uncle in the woods he met a woman who he disagreed with.
- Alice Gooderidge was blamed due to her reputation
20
Q
THE BOY OF BURTON 1596-1597
what happened when Alice was brought to confront Darling?
A
- he began to fit and scratched her face to break the spell
- Gooderidge claimed she never practised witchcraft, and only was stern with him because she mistook him for another boy who once tricked her (:()
21
Q
THE BOY OF BURTON 1596-1597
the arrest of alice gooderidge
A
- she was arrested 2 days later and her mother
- She admitted she bewitched Darling probably after sleep and food deprivation
- she also admitted to having a white dog familiar called Minny.
22
Q
the arrest of alice gooderidge
what happened at the trial?
A
- before her trial, she was put in front of Darling who fell ill again
- resulted in 37 fits.
- she explained to local justices of the peace that she could break the spell, but had a choking fit which prevented her from speaking
- she died in custody
23
Q
the role of john darrell
How was Darrell’s background dodgy?
A
- 10 years ealier, Darrell had been given a warning by a judge at a witch trial for falsely accusing Maragret Roper in Mansfield
- but he continued: and reccommended prayer, fasting, and reading bible extracts
24
Q
the role of john darrell
darrell and darling ;)
(and somers, what did he claim?)
A
- darrell exorcised darling in 1596, seemingly successful, and went on to exorcise apprentice William Somers in 1597 who had claimed he had been bewitched by 13 women headed by Alice Freeman, all of which were arrested.
25
# the role of john darrell
What did Somers say about Darrell? how did the Archbishop of York get involved? what was the result of this involvement?
- Darrell supported Somers, but many were suspicious
- Somers then admitted he was lying
- Archibishop of York investigated, and when he was questioned he took back his confession and fell into violent fits.
26
# the role of john darrell
Alice Freeman's trial and Somers?
- Alice Freeman as brought to trial in front of Judge Edward Anderson who was also involved in the trial of Alice Gooderidge
- Somers confessed (AGAIN) and Freeman was released
27
# Thomas Darling's confession
how did Darling get to be on trial?
- edward anderson wrote to the archibishop of canterbury about darrell's case
- darrell and his minister George More were to be examined by the archishop richard bancroft
28
# Thomas Darling's confession
how did Darling confess? How did Somers confess?
- Darling and Somers both confessed
- Somers also added Darrell told him to fake symptoms
- btw darling had also been abused in jail 7 weeks beforehan
29
# Thomas Darling's confession
what was the result of the trial?
- More spoke and defended Darrell, but they were both imprisoned for a year
- Darrell could never resume his career as a minister
- when he was released he lived a quiet life, except for when he insulted the recotr of cambridge and had his ears clipped
30
# John Darrell's legacy
what was John Darrell's legacy?
- canon draw up by arch Bishop of cant bancfort in **1604** which forbade any clergymen to practise exorcism without a licence
- Samuel Harsnett (archbish of york) issued a pamphlet entitled *A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practises of John Darrel* in **1599**
31
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
edmund robinson's claims: what was his story
- brought up witchcraft to avoid punishment for not watching his fathers cattle
- he was looking for plums in the woods and found 2 greyhounds and took a hold of them
- a hare ran past, and he claimed one turned into Frances Dickson, the wife of a local man, and the other into a boy
32
# Pendle Swindle
Robinson's claim about Frances Dickinson? what happened to the unknown boy? what did the woman demand?
- she offered him a shilling to keep quiet, but he said he would expose her
- the unknown boy turned into a horse
- the woman demanded he ride with her to Hoarstones house, where a coven was taking place, but he escaped
33
# Pendle Swindle
accusations and trial: who did Edmund inform? what happened next? how many were found guilty? who was the report immediately sent to?
- his father and local magistrates *Richard Shuttleworth and John Starkie*
magistrates were led to a number of churches where Robinson identified witches
- 17/25 were found guilty
- report of the trials were immediately sent to the privy council in london
34
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
who investigated some of the women?
- Bishop of Chester: Henry Bridgeman
35
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
Fraud: what did Bridgeman conclude? what happened as a result?
- motive for accusations wasn't in magic
- father/son interrogated in London, along with 4 of the accused women
- examined for the devil's mark + questioned by the king
36
37
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
who confessed to witchcraft immediately? what was her story?
- Margaret Johnson, she said she sold her soul to the Devil called mamillion, who would grant all her wishes
- she claimed she met with other witches but her descriptions did not match Robinsons
38
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
what happened after the trial? what was Robinson known as? what did Robinson go on to do as a result? did Robinson benefit?
- Robinson became known as the witchfinder
- he visited lancashire churches identifying witches
- robinson profited from this, and purchased 2 cows
39
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
what happneed when Robinson and his father were summoned to London?
- the boy was separated from his father and admitted his story was made up
- his father forced him to tell the story motivated by revenge over Frances Dickinson who he had disputed with over the payment of a cow
40
# Pendle Swindle **1634**
what were accusations motivated by?
- nothing to do with the supernatural
41
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
who was the interrogator? who was the drummer? why was he being interrogated?
- march **1662**
- Mompesson intervened in the case of a drummer and ex soldier William Drury who was fraudulently attempting to raise alms for the poor
-he drew attention to this by repeatedly banging his drum
42
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
How did Mompesson know Drury had a fake alms pass?
- Mompesson reviewed his pass that was apparently signed by 2 JPs known to Mompesson
- but he could tell the signatures were forged
43
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
what happened to Drury? what happened to the drum? what did Mompesson's family soon experience?
- Drury was arrested and his drum was confiscated (though later released)
- the drum was sent to Mompesson's house i n april
- his family soon experienced unexplainable disturbances, such as thumpings, scratching, strange lights and bad smells, injury to the family horse, etc.
44
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
how long did the disturbances continue for? what happened to the house? what did King Charles II do about it? what was the rumour
- disturbances continued for months
- the house became a local attraction as people wanted to see the disturbances themseles
- King Charles II sent representatives to investigate
- it was rumoured Drury confessed to a fellow inmate that had bewitched Mompesson
45
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
which newspapers did the case appear in?
- *Mercurius Publicus* and *The Kingdom's Intelligencer* which were read in London and accessed by many of hte gentry
46
# demon drummer of tedworth **1634**
Joseph Glanvill's involvement: how did he become involved? what did he claim? what did witnesses say?
- he investigated the house in **January 1663**
- claimed to hav heard the noises himself
- witnesses said Drury was somehow responsible and was controling events from affar
47
# demon drummer of tedworth **1634**
When was Drury found guilty? what did Glanvill write about Drury?
- April **1663** and sentenced to deportation
- Glanvill wrote the disturbances stopped, bt Drury successfully escaped while being transported to Virginia because he used his supernatural powers to raise storms at sea
48
# demon drummer of tedworth **1634**
what happened to Drury next? what was he tried for? what was the result? what happened to the disturbances?
- escaped while his ship was still on the Severn esturary but was recaptured and tried for witchcraft in Salisbury
- acquitted, but once again sentenced to deportation for theft
- disturbances began again and apparently continued for several years
49
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
scepticism about Glanvill's account: who was the first susbtantial response? what did he publish?
- John Webster published *The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft in **1677***
50
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
what did Webster hope? what did he claim/
- hoped the royal society would approve
- they did, Sir Jonas Moore (VP) approved
- Webster claimed the whole case was fraudulent, and Mompesson was responsible for the noises
51
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
Balthasar Bekker: what was his book? what did he inspire
- *The World Bewitched* **1692-1694**
- inspired John Beaumont's *Historical, Physiological, and Theological Treatise of Spirits, Apparitions, Witchcrafts, and other magical practices'* **1705**
52
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
what was Beaumont's view and belief?
- Mompessons servants were responsible
- he recounts a rumour that 2 young women carried out the disturbances to scare Mompesson's mother
- Mompesson's letters revealed the servants claimed if they left his employment, no one would want to replace them, making them his masters.
53
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
Why would Mompesson particularly dislike Drury?
- he was a parliamentarian soldier in the civil war
- Drury initially presented a forged warrant claiming he was seeking alms
- After the monarchy was restored in **1660**, Royalist soldiers could recieve financial aid, and Drury claimed he had a drummer in a Royalist regiment commanded by Mompesson's friend, but he was a parliamentarian soldier.
54
# the demon drummer of tedworth **1662**
What were Mompesson's explanation of events shaped by? what changed his original ideas?
- shaped by his neighbours not his own experience
- he suspected burglary originally
- when a minister suggested the devil, Mompesson went with this.
- After a neighbour came to the house saying they heard stories of faries leaving money in people's houses, a letter from Mompesson revealed sounds of jingling mkoney was heard in the house
55
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
what was her reputation? who did she curse?
- nickname 'wise woman of walkern'
- Matthew Gilson who refused to give her straw, so she apparently cursed him and he ran down the street begging for straw and stuffing his shirt with manure.
- Gilson's employer accused her, and she reported him to the local JP Henry Chaucey, who fined Gilson 1 shilling.
56
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
who accused Jane Wenham of bewitching her? what was she suffering from?
- Anne Thorne, 16 years old who worked for a clergyman
- she complained Wenham bewitched her, and was suffering from fits and hallucinations, and vomiting pins
57
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
Gardiner and his wife left Thorne alone, what happened/
- when they returned she had run almost a mile in order to collect sticks
- Gardiner's wife suspected witchcraft, as she placed th e sticks on the fire Jane emerged at the doorway
58
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
What did James Burville claim about Wenham?
- he saw a cat with her face at Thorne's door.
- Wenham was arrested
- searches could not find the devil's mark on her, but Wenham confessed to being a witch who only practised harmless magic.
59
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
What was the trial?
- 16 witnesses gave evidence
- including 3 local clergymen
- and an ointment found under Wenham's pillow made of human fat (apparently)
60
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
judge sceptical? what was the outcome of her punishment?
- judge Sir John Powell sceptical from the beginning
- when a witness said they saw Wenham flyinhg through the air, he said there was no law against this
- despite his objections, Wenham was found guilty
- but he did secure a royal pardon to prevent her hanging
- Wenham couldn't return to walkern but was offered a cottage by Whig politician WIlliam Cowper
- Wenham died in **1730** but Thorne was ordered to be watched over
61
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
context? village of Walkern? makeup of the village? how did Wenham fit into this? what was her social standing?
- Walkern had 500 people, including mobile farmers, the Chapman and Adams families, and a large number of DIssenters (20% of the pop)
- Wenham was likely a dissenter
- She was poor and stole turnips/straw. Most of her accusers were wealthy during a time of a growing wealth gap and little provision
62
# the case of Jane Wenham **1712**
WHy was Sir John Powell so important? what did Hutchinson and his novel report?
- Powell was unimpressed by evidence, definitley influenced by sceptical works
- he acquired a royal pardon for Wenham
- Powell was an outsider from Gloucsester with a critical, rational, objective eye. He realised lots of witnesses had grudges against her
- Wenham's case was mentioned in Hutchinson's *An Historical Essay Concerning WItchcraft **1718***: he met with Wenham after her trial, and reported she wasn't guilty but stated supernatural phenomena was plausible.
63
# the influence of Lord Chief Justice Sir John Holt **1689-1710**
how many witches did he acquit? what other judges were sceptical?
- almost 12
- Sir George MacKenzie then Lord Advocate
64
# the influence of Lord Chief Justice Sir John Holt **1689-1710**
what did Mackenzie sum up in his *Laws and Customs of Scotland in Matters Criminal **1678***
- most of the accused weren't genuine witches
- true witches deserved punishment, but carless judges were to blame for unnecessary deaths
- witches were not necessarily evil
- the devil would not offer people money
- normal legal procedures weren't followed, and the accused often confessed due to torture.
- Mackenzie freed many suspected witches after his promosion to Lord Advocate
65
# the influence of Lord Chief Justice Sir John Holt **1689-1710**
career? key dates..
- trained as a lawyer in **1660**
- called to the bar in **1663**
- became chief judge in **1685**
- appointed chief judstice in **1689**
66
# the influence of Lord Chief Justice Sir John Holt **1689-1710**
key dates? who did he acquit?
- **1691**: 2 women from Frome
- **1694**: 'witch' mother munnings accused of causing death by witchcraft, holt refused evidence of familiars
- **1694**: Ipswich, Margaret Elnore accused of owning familiars from her grandmother.
- **1695**: Cornwall, Holy freed mary guy accused of posession
- **1696**: exeter, Elizabeth Horner accused of posessing 3 children.
67
# the influence of Lord Chief Justice Sir John Holt **1689-1710**
how is it shown that Holt was such as sceptic?
- he put accusers on trial for fraudulent claims
- would have been influenced by changing intellectual climate
- there was still a widespread beleif in witchcraft, and his predecessor Matthew Hale accepted dubious testimonies to secure withccraft convictions
68
# the last executions and the end of witchcraft legislation
final executions in England and Scotland
- Alice Molland of Exeter in **1684**
- Scotland: Janet Horne **1727**
69
# the last executions and the end of witchcraft legislation
when was the witchcraft act repealed?
**1736**
- little opposition in England
- Scotland believed in witchcraft
- new witchcraft act passed aimted at punishing fraudulent cases. It also declared magic/witchcraft was not real.
70
# the last executions and the end of witchcraft legislation
however : what did ordinary people bellieve? case of John and Ruth Osborne **1751**?
- Long Marston
- John and Ruth Osborne attacked by a mob who accused them of harming cattle and people
- 4000 people dragged them to a pond and Ruth Osborne drowned with her husband being beated to death
- though Thomas Colley, a persecutor, was arrested and executed for the murder of ruth Osborne/
