Case Study 3: The Witch Hunts of 1645 - 47 Flashcards
What occurred between 1642 - 51?
There was an English civil war between the Royalists and the Parliament over the power of the King and government.
What was the outcome of the English Civil War?
The Parliament defeated the King’s army and executed Charles I. The leader of Parliament - Oliver Cromwell - rules England.
What percentage of women were convicted of witchcraft?
80%.
Who was mainly convicted of witchcraft?
Old widowed females that were seen as vulnerable to the devil.
They usually had pets seen as ‘familiars’.
Who was Mathew Hopkins?
A self proclaimed ‘Witchfinder General’ that was employed by the Justices of Peace to find witches in Essex.
What method did Hopkins use to find witches and how were they punished?
He used torture and if they were found guilty of Withcraft, they were hung.
How many people were accused of Witchcraft between 1645 - 47?
300 people, 112 of which were hanged.
What were the reasons for the intensity of the witch hunts?
1) Influence of Individuals
2) Social Upheaval
3) Religious Changes
How did James I help increase witchcraft accusations?
Influence of Individuals
James I published his book Demonologie (1597) encouraging witch hunts. It led to the wider belief that witchcraft was a crime against the monarch and God.
How did Hopkins help increase witchcraft accusations?
Influence of Individuals
Hopkins stirred up fear of witches through his pamphlets.
How did social upheaval worsen the witch craze?
- After the Civil War, there was a lot of political unrest which created a climate of fear and more suspicion in communities
- There were many poor harvests and elderly and vulnerable women were used as scapegoats
How did religion influence the increase in witchcraft accusations?
Protestants in the 17th century feared the ‘old religion’ (Catholicism) and this led to attempts of cleansing society by seeking out witches.
What caused a decline in the witch trials of East Anglia?
New scientific ideas were being introduced based on reason rather than superstition. This was called the period of Enlightenment.
When was the last recorded execution for witchcraft in England?
1716.
When and why was the Royal Society established?
In 1662 and brought together scientists to discuss their experiments.
