Decline - John Gaule

Question 1

What did John Gaule believe caused the hunts?

Answer 1

• Scapegoating
• Saw in his parishioners that they blamed witches for their misfortunes
• Gaule however believed it was their own sins that were to blame

Question 2

What did John Gaule publish and when?

Answer 2

• Select Cases Conscience touching Witches and Witchcrafts
• 1646

Question 3

What points did John Gaule make in his book?

Answer 3

• Select Cases Conscience touching Witches and Witchcrafts 1646
• Affirmed existence of witches and approval of witch-hunting
• Criticised methods of Hopkins and Stearne
• Pleaded for common sense and restraint
• Alleged the craze for witch finding was becoming idolatrous
• Complained people of East Anglia were praising witchfinders more than God, Christ and the Bible

Question 4

What examples show that John Gaule was a conservative?

Answer 4

• Notes privately his anger that episcopacy (heirarchy of bishops that controlled CofE) had eroded
• Replaced by independent churches during the Civil War
• Anger that churches were used as stables and stables as churches
• Aggrieved witchfinders had assumed authority where in reality they had none.

Question 5

In addition to his book, what else did John Gaule do?

Answer 5

• Launched campaign of preaching in Great Staughton against witchfinders
• Eg. consider how unlikely it is every witch had a genuine connection with the Devil
• Told even confessions should not be taken at face value - evaluations should be taken out by magistrates and not private individuals
• Interviewed imprisoned witches
• Spoke to parishioners about their views on the craze