DECLINE CAUSES - Judicial Scepticism Flashcards
GEORGE MACKENZIE
Who was George Mackenzie? P
A Scottish lawyer, first to be renowned for his scepticism.
GEORGE MACKENZIE
What did George Mackenzie doubt? P
The legitimacy of witchcraft trials.
GEORGE MACKENZIE
What was the name of George Mackenzie’s book and when was it published? E
Matters Criminal, published in 1678
GEORGE MACKENZIE
George Mackenzie outlined his views in his book, Matters Criminal (1678).
What did he state? E
(2)
Witchcraft might be real but most accused aren’t.
Argued against hunts but accepted true witches deserved punishment, not harsh punishments though, as they’d had been deceived.
GEORGE MACKENZIE
RC - Mackenzie write at a time that showed the impact of ______ like ____ & _____ - both said the _____ didn’t _____ to ________ & shouldn’t be used to _____ ________ hunts.
They _____ in a time of different _________ of _______.
a) writers
b) Scot & Ady
c) Bible
d) refer
e) witchcraft
f) justify
g) large scale
h) wrote
i) interpretations
j) scripture
GEORGE MACKENZIE
What was the impact of Mackenzie’s work? IMPACT
Revealed Scotland, which had reformed into a Calvinist country, was highly moralistic - shown in Mackenzie’s undeniable influence on Scottish law.
GEORGE MACKENZIE
What was Mackenzie criticised for? IMPACT
His atheist views, but his contribution to decline in witch trials & resonance with Sir John Holt is undeniable.
SIR JOHN HOLT
Who was Sir John Holt? P
Lord Chief Justice, 1689 - 1710. Influential at times, including the Glorious Revolution.
SIR JOHN HOLT
How many trials did Holt oversee and what was the result? E
At least 11, maybe 12, trials - each resulting in an acquittal of the accused.
SIR JOHN HOLT
Outline a particular trial in which Holt was involved in.
E
1696 - Elizabeth Horner of Exeter accused of possessing 3 children & walking 9 feet up a wall, according to witnesses.
She was acquitted by Holt.
SIR JOHN HOLT
E - Holt’s attitude to witchcraft reflected his _____ _______ to _____; treating all _______ the same, being ________.
In one case, Holt _______ the trial by putting the ________ on ____. Significant for _________ his _________.
a) broad attitude, crime, criminals, empathetic
b) ended, accuser, trial, highlighting, seriousness
SIR JOHN HOLT
RC of Holt:
_______ authors like ______ & _______ - no explicit _______ of him _______ their works, but he was likely _____ of them.
Webster’s ______ & _________ approach relates to his decisions with ___________ 16__ case:
Accused of ______ by ________ but Holt didn’t ______ charges due to ___________.
a) influential, Webster & Bekker, evidence, reading, aware
b) rational & materialistic, Mother Munnings 1694
c) killing, witchcraft, accept, unreliable evidence
SIR JOHN HOLT
What did Holt likely doubt and how is this clear? RC
The use of devil’s marks or witness statements as solid evidence, evident through the case of Mother Munnings in 1694.
SIR JOHN HOLT
Impact of Holt:
Influenced ______ level ______ - due to change in ________ & standards for ________, _____ became more ________ & too tricky to _____.
_________ approach & _______ of ___________ now _______ in courts.
a) lower
b) judges
c) scepticism
d) evidence
e) trials
f) impossible
g) prove
h) materialist
i) rejection
j) spectral evidence
k) normal
BIBLICAL JUSTIFICATION
Many writers urged linking _______ to _________ was unacceptable as there was no ____________.
Referring to the __________ where witches were _______ who used ______ means to harm _______, they claimed most were _____ & ________.
a) witchcraft
b) Devil worship
c) biblical justification
d) Old Testament
e) diviners
f) natural
g) enemies
h) frauds & unmagical
