impact of notable sceptic publications

Question 1

What year was Reginald Scot’s ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’ published?

Answer 1

1584

Question 2

Why was Scot’s book viewed as contradictory?

Answer 2

His writing drew away from factual statements > large emotional components
> Failed to initiate change at a time of religious teachings dominating society

Question 3

Did Scot’s book spark immediate actionable change?

Answer 3

No, the book had very little impact in the short term > very abrupt claim
> BUT planted the seed of scepticism which would be republished in 1651

Question 4

How did Scot’s book symbolise rivalry?

Answer 4

Largely based on religious turf: Protestant vs Catholic

> King James denounced Scot in ‘Daemonologie’

Question 5

What impact did King James’ book ‘Daemonologie’ have?

Answer 5

Large impact as it emphasised threat in divided beliefs

> Perhaps aspects of a Reformation? Preventing ritual change?

Question 6

What evidence is there that Scot’s book issued little to no immediate change?

Answer 6

1604 Act > sentenced 300 women on superstition of witchcraft

Question 7

What year was Samuel Harsnett’s ‘A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practice of John Darrel’ published?

Answer 7

1599

Question 8

What happened as a result of Harsnett’s publication?

Answer 8

Sparked debate via pamphlet war > strong impact as it became accessible to the public
> Connection between fake possessions & newly discovered fraudulence?

Question 9

How did Harsnett’s publication spark religious complications?

Answer 9

Raised stronger defence against religious teachings > could reverse traditional belief in the long term

Question 10

How did Harsnett’s publication had a smaller impact in regards to his perceptions?

Answer 10

Referenced exorcisms but didn’t challenge witchcraft belief
> Darrell’s exorcisms limited Harsnett’s impact > rationalised as Puritan prayer & fasting rituals were also forms of exorcisms (not fraudulent practices)

Question 11

What happened to John Darrell as a result of Harsnett’s publication based on the Boy of Burton case?

Answer 11

Despite a damaged reputation, Darrell remained supported by higher social influences
E.g Bishop of Exeter (low impact on Harsnett as hierarchy wasn’t ignored)

Question 12

What year was Thomas Ady’s ‘A Candle in the Dark’ published?

Answer 12

1656

Question 13

Was Ady’s sceptic publication opinion based?

Answer 13

No, he directly sourced his scepticism from the Bible > undermined the legitimacy of witch hunts

Question 14

How did Ady expose the fault of guilty accusations towards ‘witches’?

Answer 14

Reflected the importance of materialism > parallel to Harsnett’s view of demonic possessions
> Insight to how magic is fake - strong impact in the short term as it held imposing thought

Question 15

Did Ady’s scepticism influence more diverse groups of people during the 17t century?

Answer 15

Members of the learned elite adopted his theories > higher standard of evidence base trials planted revolution of changing attitudes

Question 16

How was Ady’s impact lessened as a result of his publication?

Answer 16

Posed dual impact: decline in witchcraft trials post 1660 could be due to Ady’s perspective or negative experiences of women throughout the witchcraze

> Impact significantly lessened > individual perception overrode challenging religion

Question 17

Why was Ady’s impact limited?

Answer 17

Largely influenced by Scot > previously unsuccessful in revolutionising the questioning of witchcraft existence

Question 18

What year was John Webster’s ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ published?

Answer 18

1677

Question 19

Why did Webster’s publication have very little impact?

Answer 19

He echoed Scot & Ady’s argument
> Perhaps he thought it essential to reinforce cracks in rationalising witchcraft by arguing the supernatural phenomena only seemed unexplainable

Question 20

What evidence is there of Webster’s claim that the supernatural phenomena can be explained?

Answer 20

1577 - Roland Jenks Case
“Uttered a curse” during his trial > 100 people died
> unknown to people typhus cases were increasing > proving that disease killed people not his ‘curse’

Question 21

Why did Webster’s status play a vital role in his publications?

Answer 21

His support from high profile people & Royal Society made his work credible
> But this limited his impact > he was DEPENDANT on high profile promotions of his work

Question 22

Who had Webster previously accused?

Answer 22

Accused a highly religious figure (Mompesson)
> Mompesson promoted the supernatural aspect of the Demon Drummer case > suspicion of fraud pass to raise alms for the poor

Question 23

How could Webster’s accusation spark potential damage to his publications?

Answer 23

A non-conformist accusing a Catholic

>His works could’ve been forbidden by the catholic Church > severely limiting his influence

Question 24

What year was Balthasar Bekker’s ‘The Enchanted World’ published?

Answer 24

1691

Question 25

How did religious intervention limit Bekker’s impact?

Answer 25

Despite cutting through societal attitudes, he received criticising pamphlets
> Church saw his influence as a threat > proving impact was prominent

Question 26

How did Bekker lengthen his impact?

Answer 26

He challenged religious teachings > teachings can be shaped by personal belief, not testament
> Gottlieb Soldan claimed Bekker struck at heart of destroying devil belief

Question 27

How did Bekker challenge traditional ideas?

Answer 27

Argued devil can’t influence earth if it is in hell

> Diabolical pacts/sabbat belief was shattered

Question 28

What role did materialism play in Bekker’s publications?

Answer 28

> Argument that materialism must interconnect with supernatural
Impact dependant on accessibility of printing & scientific evidence in the material world

Question 29

What limited Bekker’s impact?

Answer 29

Language barriers
> Controversy confined to Dutch
> 4000 copies sold in Europe - but importance of his literature in England is overstated

Question 30

What happened to Bekker as a result of challenging the dominant religious influence?

Answer 30

Use of Cartesian methodology > People who believe in Devils are heretics > suggesting another God?
> Highly offensive towards Church
> Lost his job as a Calvinist minister for atheism