4. The Lancashire witches of 1604-13 Flashcards
Causation- 1604 Witchcraft Act
Made it a capital offence to invoke evil spirits or commune with familiar spirits. These ‘familiars’ were said to inhabit the body of animals, so in extreme cases, having a pet could condemn you as a witch
The Act promoted the idea that the most damaging part of witchcraft was that it originated from a pact with the Devil
The Pendle Craze was the first evidence that the law was working
It represented a fusion of the continental focus on the diabolical pact and more traditional popular beliefs
Causation- Economic Factors
-Pendle was a pastoral economy that had limited arable farming
-General price inflation and rent rising by 39%.
-Tenants were constantly facing eviction notices. Illegal sub-letting took place, people believed witches were doing this. As it was common, people were constantly suspicious
-Population growth- lower mortality rates than previous decades and centuries, 100 tenants by 1527.
As the population increased, food needed to be produced more efficiently and the religious needs of the population catered for
Causation- Alizon Device’s Confession
-Beggar from poor family, refused charity by John Law who suffered from a stroke
-She was convinced of her own power so confessed to bewitching him
-Questioned by Roger Nowell who was an experienced JP
-Alizon accused Chattox of murder by witchcraft
-The witchhunt snowballed quickly
-By the end of April, 19 people were in custody at Lancaster Castle
Causation- Family Feud
-Old Chattox and Old Demdike fell out due to theft from clothing worth 20 shillings
-Two families traded various accusations of theft and slander
Old Chattox accused of witchcraft before- Robert Nutter and father died when Chattox was a tenant
Causation- Malkin Towers
-Examined Elizabeth, James and Jennet Device in order to ascertain what happened
-Jennet became Nowell’s star witness- There was 20 witches present but she only named 6
-James revealed more names which turns into a whole community witch hunt
-Lots of people are accused of taking part in a sabbat, blowing up a prison
-This turns into a full witch craze
Causation- Religion
Full of recusants- catholics who refuse to give up their faith, HOWEVER in Pendle wasn’t a major issue
People were hiding Catholics in their homes HOWEVER little impact of the Reformation in Pendle and little evidence there was religious zeal
Accusations tended to occur more often with large Protestant and Catholic divide
Continuation- Roger Nowell
-Experienced JP and local landowner
-strong connections with high-profile protestants
-unclear whether he was determined to investigate witches from the start
-Nowell interrogated Alison Device
-She admitted to witchcraft after speaking to him
-He was very determined to prosecute people
Continuation- Jennet Device
-her evidence proved to be crucial in unravelling the supposed coven
-told him there were 20 witches at the coven but could only name 6
-James named more names
Continuation- Daemonlogie and the Witchcraft Act
-played a large role for the continuation of the craze
-Daemonlogie stated that child witnesses could be used in order to prosecute witches as they were ‘pure and innocent’
-The Witchcraft Act, made people more willing to accuse others creating a snowball effect as they were fearful of being executed themselves
Ending- Everyone dying
Death of Old Demdike- Chattox changed up her story placing more of the blame on OD when being questioned after she died. I.E-
