Fraudulent cases

Question 1

Who were the main people involved in the demon drummer case and what were their roles?

Answer 1

John Mompesson (JP) - Man who heard disturbances in his house and started the accusations.
William Drury - The accused witch- was a former parliamentarian.
Joseph Glanvill - Member of royal society who believed that he had heard noises himself and aimed to convince that witchcraft could be studied in a rational way.
John Webster - Scepetic who wrote books in response to Joseph Glanvill’s findings.

Question 2

What was the immediate impact of the Demon Drummer?

Answer 2

House became attraction, case appeared in London newspapers, haunting was believed.

Question 3

What was the King’s involvement and view on the DDT case?

Answer 3

Representatives of Charles 2nd investigated. Members of the royal society debated legitimacy. King believed it was a fraud.

Question 4

Did the Demon Drummer case result in change?

Answer 4

It generated a lot of discussion. Some took it seriously whilst others were unsure of its validity. Led people to advocate for a scientific approach to witch hunting.

Question 5

What books were published in response to the Demon Drummer case?

Answer 5

Glanvill - A blow at modern Sadducism in some Philosophical considerations about witchcraft (1668)
Webster- The displaying of supposed witchcraft (1677)
Bekker - The World Bewitched (1692-94)
Beaumont - Historical physiological and theological treatise of spirits, apparitions, witchcrafts and other magical practices.

Question 6

What limitations were there to the scepticism of the DDT?

Answer 6

The case was initially believed. Glanvill aimed to use it to convince the royal society of witchcraft. Much of the royal society were already sceptical. Not a period of many hunts.

Question 7

What was the significance of the time period of the DDT?

Answer 7

Was a period of greater stability. Royal society had been founded in 1660. Scientific revolution had begun.

Question 8

Who were the main figures in the case of Jane Wenham?

Answer 8

Jane Wenham - accused witch

Sir John Powell- very sceptical judge who secured her a pardon

Question 9

What was the initial impact of the case of JW?

Answer 9

Local community very keen to prosecute. Had little significance outside of local sphere and had little impact.

Question 10

How did JW impact 1580-1750?

Answer 10

Witchcraft already in steep decline. Had a very limited impact.

Question 11

Did JW case reach elites?

Answer 11

Was a royal pardon from the queen. Whig politician was sympathetic and gave her a free house.

Question 12

Did the JW case cause any change?

Answer 12

Resulted in her acquittal. She was made to leave the village.

Question 13

Were there any publications linked to the Jane Wenham Case?

Answer 13

It is mentioned in Hutchinsons ‘An historical essay concerning witchcraft’

Question 14

What limitations were there in the JW case?

Answer 14

The jury convict JW. Hutchinson states that she was innocent but supernatural phenomenon are possible.

Question 15

What is significant about the time period of the JW case?

Answer 15

Witchcraft convictions were rare at this time. Teh tide had turned to more rational thinking by the elites. Was the last formal trial in England.

Question 16

Who were the main people involved in the BOB and what were their roles?

Answer 16

Thomas Darling- The accuser, later admitted to lying
Alice Gooderidge- The accused, a 60 year old woman
John Darrell- Fraudulent exorcist
William Sommers- Another bewitched boy that Darrell exorcises
Edward Anderson- Suspicious judge

Question 17

What was the initial impact of the BOB case?

Answer 17

Initially it was accepted but when Darrell continued exorcism it caused suspicion.

Question 18

What was the impact of BOB across 1580-1750?

Answer 18

Had an impact early in the period. Generated discussion in the 1590s and first decade of 1600s but not rest of the decades. Canon law implemented meaning exorcism required a license.

Question 19

Did the BOB case reach the elites?

Answer 19

Scepticism about Darrell reached the Archbishop of Canterbury and several high profile bishops were involved in the case.

Question 20

What publications were there related to the BOB case?

Answer 20

Samuel Harsnett’s account ‘A discovery of the fraudulent practices of John Darrell’ which sparked debate and a pamphlet war.

Question 21

What were limitations to the scepticism of the BOB case?

Answer 21

Some spoke in favour of Darrell. Darrell published work defending his actions.

Question 22

What was the significance of the time period of the BOB case?

Answer 22

It was scepticism at a time when witch beliefs were widespread. Canon law was changed but this was the same year harsher witchcraft law was passed. Demonologie was published in 1597.

Question 23

Who was the accused in the BOB case?

Answer 23

Alice Gooderidge

Question 24

What did William Sommers and Thomas Daring confess to?

Answer 24

Both admitted that their testimonies were false and that they had made up their whole cases. Sommers claimed that he was forced to by John Darrell.

Question 25

Who was the accuser in the Pendle swindle?

Answer 25

Edmund Robinson

Question 26

What happened immediately after the Pendle Swindle report?

Answer 26

It was sent to the privy council due to doubts over the written evidence and testimony.

Question 27

What did Edmund Robinson eventually admit to and why?

Answer 27

That it was his father who pressured him into doing it. His father was seeking revenge on Francis Dickinson.

Question 28

How well known was the DDT case?

Answer 28

It was known of in London due to newspapers. The house became a tourist attraction and so was known locally.

Question 29

Why may have Mompesson disliked William Drury?

Answer 29

Drury was a parliamentarian in the civil war and Mompesson was a royalist so he may have seen an issue with this.

Question 30

What did Mompesson initially suspect and why did this change?

Answer 30

He felt that it may have been theft related. However, others inspired him and made him feel differently, they suggested that it may have been magic.

Question 31

What was Wenham’s reputation?

Answer 31

Known as the wise witch of Walkern

Question 32

What was the attitude of the judge in the JW case?

Answer 32

He was very sceptical of the evidence and when someone said they had seen her flying he said there was no law against flying. He was an outsider so viewed the case more objectively.

Question 33

What contextual factors led to the accusations against Wenham?

Answer 33

She was a dissenter, she was very poor and most accusers were wealthy.