East Anglia Flashcards
When did the East Anglia Witch Hunt take place?
1645-1647
How many people were accused/faced trial?
700 people
80% of them were women
Where did the East Anglia witch hunt take place?
In 7 counties across East Anglia
- Suffolk
- Northamptonshire
- Cambridgeshire
When did the English Civil War begin and end?
1642-1649
Why was England at war?
- King Charles I had overstepped his power as King –> 11-year rule
- He imposed the Ship Tax across the country which was only meant for coastal towns during war.
- He married a Catholic woman & began to treat Protestants badly.
What were the two sides of the war?
Catholic/Royalist Sympathisers
Vs
Protestant, Puritan/Parliamentarian Sympathisers
How was the Suffolk population affected by the Civil War?
- 20% of men were taken to fight for Parliament
* The Eastern Association provided many troops for the Parliamentarian army
How did the traditional power authorities change as a result of the Civil War?
- Many men died in battle → fears around women becoming too powerful
- The Church of England was weaker under Charles→ the authority of the church was undermined
- The local gentry went away to fight → their long term absence meant their authority was undermined
What impact did all of this have on the view of women?
- Women were seen to be becoming too powerful and people translated their fears of the war to a fear in women and witches
- FEAR of witches as “bad women” and “bad mothers”
How do we know that there was genuine concern around the changing perception of women?
- Women joined extreme sects like Ranters and the Anabaptists and began to preach/give prophesy
- Women became deeply involved in politics, attempting to influence the outcome of political issues through petitions and protests.
- They formed a significant portion of the peace movement.
Why did women confess to being witches?
- Some women genuinely believed that they had magical powers; others may have been mentally ill.
- Some women had thoughts of killing their children as they were unable to provide for them due to the war.
How was the religious context of the time an influence on women’s confessions?
Good and bad things were explained in terms of God and the devil.
- thoughts of depression and suicide, were viewed as the effects of the devil
* Clear gender roles in society, the Puritan expectation was that women would be good mothers and wives
What was the religious context of East Anglia during the C17th?
There was a strong Puritan influence that had been present since the reign of King James I
How did Puritanism view witchcraft?
- There was a strong focus on the importance of Scripture and its role in guiding how people lived their lives
- People were innately sinful and could therefore be tempted by the Devil
- Culturally women were less important, and attempts to increase their power/influence was sinful
How did changes in prices and wages affect people’s lives?
- Inflation was a big issue
- -> price of livestock increased by 12%
- -> price of grain increased by 15% - Meanwhile wages didn’t increase which caused poverty
How did the war affect local economies?
Armies needed resources
–> Horses that worked on the fields were
confiscated by armies
–> Armies took food from farms and fields as they
were marching through the area
What tax was introduced in 1643?
A new type of tax
In East Anglia, it was 12 times higher than Ship Tax
What happened to the function of the Assize court?
They were unable to function normally SO Lord magistrates and other locals gave out justice instead (this went very badly)
What role did the Earl of Warwick play in the hunt?
The Earl of Warwick
- no legal experience at all
- sent 19 women to hang in 1645 during the assize courts, * shows that it caused the intensity of the hunt to increase
Why were laws difficult to implement?
The was no Kingly influence
How did a lack of authority lead to an increase in tension?
- the hunt spread quickly because there was nothing stopping them
- Local fears intensified as they didn’t know who to blame for their problems
- Hopkins & Stearne were gratefully received by locals because of their knowledge and efficiency
What led to increased poverty in East Anglia?
- poor weather conditions led to crop failure & the growth of ergot caused hallucinations if eaten
- Further inflation - prices of food increased
- Landlords closed land & evicted tenants
How did the closure of land and evictions create suspected witches?
Sir Sandys (Ely)
some of the women who protested later became
accused and executed witches
Margaret Moore
Evicted as she couldn’t afford more rent, she became
reliant on charity. She was then accused for causing
life stock failures and a child’s murder.
How did Puritans interpret the economic situation?
- It was a punishment from God/a sign that Charles should not return to the throne
- idleness means sinfulness & some stopped providing charity
^ Elizabeth Clarke and Anne West evidence of this
How did Puritan beliefs lead to an increase in tension around witchcraft?
- became easy to blame misfortune on witches especially with their connection to the Devil
- Wealthier members feared that old women beggars would use magic in revenge
What do some historians see the hunts as?
Organised and deliberate violence against women
