Context: Witches and familiars Flashcards
What were familiars?
They were supernatural creatures, believed to be representatives of the devil.
Sometimes called Imps.
What form did they often take?
Usually the form of an animal (dog, cat, toad…) but also sometimes a man.
What did they believe about familiars in England?
Imps would use the Devil’s Mark to feed and suckle blood.
They would also assist the witch by carrying out some of its acts.
When did a witch receive her familiar?
It was believed that a witch would receive their familiar after their meeting with the devil.
What made familiars of cunning-folk different?
Familiars had been associated with cunning-folk but were usually harmless fairies, not evil demons.
What was it said that the familiar could do?
It was believed that they could shapeshift.
What else did familiars do for the witch?
Familiars would protect the witch.
What were the 3 main ways in which a witch would first encounter their familiar?
- It would suddenly appear when the witch was alone and it would urge her to make a pact with Satan.
- Familiars could be inherited - girls given them by mothers.
- As accused witches were poor, the devil gave them a familiar and promised wealth and power.
Familiars often caused ___
Familiars often caused harm.
