Crime and Punishment-Witchcraft(+religion)

Question 1

What is the timeline for the Witchcraft phase?

Answer 1

• 1542*- Henry VIII made witchcraft a capital offence so it became a crime against authority(punishable by death)
• 1563*- Increase of prosecutions after Elizabeth I created a new law that differentiated minor and major witchcraft
• 1597*- Daemonologie written by James I
• 1604*- Major witch-hunts after James I enforced all other witchcraft laws
• 1642-1649*- English Civil War sparked the worst phase of witch-hunting hysteria
• 1685*- The last execution in England for witchcraft
• 1736*- ALL witchcraft laws were abolished

Question 2

Why did witchcraft become such a serious crime? ( secular seven)

Answer 2

• Changing attitudes:
  charity for poor declined- people worried they would be ‘cursed’ by a poor person they refused to help

-Reputation:
women who knew about herbal medicines were considered wise if successful and witches if not. Some women said they were witches to scare people. Old women who lived alone were considered strange.

-Social changes/tensions:
Some people were accused of witchcraft because others disliked them. Widows were resented as they often asked for help

-War:
Civil conflict led people to become more suspicious of others

-Economic problems:
During the period 1580-1645, unemployment increased, wages dropped and prices rose. Some people looked for scapegoats to blame for their misfortunes.

-Attitudes of authority:
James I strongly believed in witchcraft and wrote Daemonologie. Several JPs also believed in witches

-Religion:
After the Reformation, the government wanted everyone to have the same religion as the rule. Witchcraft, therefore became a crime against authority (the state) rather than against religion.

Question 3

Typical suspects for a witch?

Answer 3

• Old
• 50+
• Lonely people (widow)

Question 4

Why women?

Answer 4

-Before 20th cen