Case study 3 - Matthew Hopkins and the witch-hunts of 1645–47 Flashcards
1536
Henry VIII accuses Anne Boleyn of being a witch
1542
Witchcraft Act - witchcraft is now a criminal rather than religious offence, so witches are now hung
Reasons for the rise of witchcraft?
The role of individuals
Social context
Religion
What role did individuals play in the rise of witchcraft?
Henry VIII - Witchcraft Act passed under him
James I - ‘Demonologie’ a book which educated people on how to spot a witch. Called them the “detestable slaves of the Devil
Matthew Hopkins - ‘witchfinder general’ of 1644-7. Working mainly in East Anglia, he goes on a run which kills 400
How did social context affect the rise of witchcraft?
The Civil War of 1642-9 caused disruption and left many women widowed
Due to poor harvests, more women were begging, making them an easy target
People didn’t understand why natural events occurred (e.g. crop failure) - they blamed it on the Devil)
How did religion affect the rise of witchcraft?
The Reformation - English Church split between Catholics and Protestants, causing confusion, fear and suspicion
Puritan rule from 1649-59. Anyone living outside their strict rules were treated with suspicion
Reasons for the fall of witchcraft?
Changing attitudes of the monarchy
Growth in rational thought
Changes in social and economic context
How did the changing attitudes of the monarchy affect the fall of witchcraft?
In France, Louis XVI refused to sign death orders for several convicted witches in England
Charles II was extremely sceptical towards the subject
How did growth in rational thought affect the fall of witchcraft?
The scientific revolution began to gather speed around the 1650s.
The royal society was a group of scientists that met regularly to discuss their ideas and experiments
People found logical explanations for phenomena - e.g. why illness was caused (when vaccinations were discovered)
How did changes in social and economic context affect the fall of witchcraft?
English Civil war ends in 1649.
By the late 1600s, there were fewer crop failures (as a result of fewer droughts) - life, as a result, became more stable
Who was convicted of witchcraft?
Mostly women, that were often widows
Pets believed to be ‘familiars’ - supposedly messengers from the Devil
People with a background in healing
What evidence was used against witches?
Unusual marks on their bodies
The needles test - it was believed that, wherever the Devil had touched them, they would be insensitive to pain
The swimming test - being dunked in a river hands tied. If you floated, you were a witch
How were witches punished?
After the Witchcraft Act, this crime was punishable by HANGING - not being burnt (that was before the act)
