Background

Question 1

Overview of the North Berwick Hunt

Answer 1

• 1590-1591
• 70 executed, 200 accused
• 80% of victims are women

Question 2

Scotland’s Political and Legal Context

Answer 2

• Less complex system - only central control, no way to keep people accountable
• 1563 Witchcraft Act - place WC in the national consciousness as a crime, allowed commissions to be formed

Question 3

Social Attitudes in Scotland

Answer 3

• Quarrels were rife in society - often leading to accusations of WC if misfortune followed
• Marriage highly valued (regular = in public, good / irregular = private, bad)

Question 4

Scotland’s Religious Context

Answer 4

• Scottish Reformation - Calvinist (Catholicism was the antichrist)
• 1584, The Black Acts - increased James control over the Kirk, exacerbated anti-Catholic sentiments in society

Question 5

James’ Relationship with Parents

Answer 5

• Mother: Mary Queen of Scots - James not allowed to see her, she allegedly tried to kill him, strong Catholic
• Father: Lord Darnley - assassinated by James’ uncle
• Leads to James feeling paranoid and fearful of attempts on his life

Question 6

James’ Education

Answer 6

• Raised as a strong Calvinist
• Tutored by George Buchanan and Peter Young - Buchanan would beat him
• James became a devout Calvinist and strongly believed there was and anti-christ in Scotland

Question 7

Significance of James’ childhood and early reign

Answer 7

James’ childhood did not start the initial witch hunting BUT it does help to explain motivation for him getting so involved during the hunts

Question 8

Niels Hemmingsen

Answer 8

• Respected theologian - wwrote a book on WC in 1575
• Influential in orchestrating hunts in Denmark during the 1500s
• Inspired James and introduced him to idea of diabolism

Question 9

Peder Munk

Answer 9

• Befriended James while in Denmark, told him of Copehagen trials in July 1590 and the threat on his life
• Helps to explain how James was made aware of threat on his life/ similarities between NB & CPH trials

Question 10

Anna Koldings

Answer 10

• Witch accused of raising a storm to sink Anne and James’ ship, using demons to pull it under
• Gives Agnes Sampson’s name as an accomplice
• James is already aware of Agnes Sampson when Gilly Duncan accuses her in her confession