European Witchcraft Craze

Question 1

Where and When

Answer 1

Began at the end of medieval era (1400) and escalated during the Modern period (15-17th C)
- France, England and Germany
Height of the witchcraft: 1560-1660
Did not end until after 1700
Ended w the the emergence of Scientific Enlightenment thinking (18th C)

Question 1

Malleus Maleficarum

Answer 1

Hammer against the Witches
- Published in 1486/late 15th C
- Written by German Dominican monks (Kramer and Sprenger)
- Supported by the Papacy
- Guidebook about how to identify, prosecute and punish witches
- Singled out women as primary source of witchcraft
- Reprinted in 14 editions by 1520
- Identified 4 points of witchcraft
- Encouraged torture to obtain confessions

Question 2

4 Identifying points and torture techniques in Malleus Maleficarum

Answer 2

Identifying points:
1. Renunciation of the Catholic faith
2. Devotion of the body and soul to the service of the devil
3. Offering children to the devil
4. Engaging in sexual intercourse with Lucifer
Torture:
- Arm-twisting, sleep deprivation = more names = profitable for the judicial system (more jobs)

Question 3

Devil’s Mark

Answer 3

Sign of witchcraft from the Malleus Maleficarum
- A mark or skin blemish (birthmark, scar…) which was believed to be an identifying mark of a pact with Satan
- Used as proof
- Often hidden-> Careful inspection of the entire body of accused (shaving body hair)

Question 4

Ordeal by water

Answer 4

Determine guilt/innocence of witch
- Accused tied andd thrown into deep water.
- Float = guilty, Sank (mostly drowned) = Innocent
- Water = pure substance
- This test always provide a victim

Question 5

Protestant Reformation

Answer 5

16th C
Pursued witches fiercely too

Question 6

Martin Luther

Answer 6

Believed witches should be burned

Question 7

King Henry VIII

Answer 7

Condemn his wife Ann Boleyn with charges of witchcraft