Jane Wenham Case in more detail Flashcards
What was Wenham accused of?
Accused of bewitching Matthew Gilson by Gilson’s employer. She took the accusation to the local magistrate who found in her favour, ordered employer to pay fine to her. Unhappy w/1 shilling fine, she cursed her employer’s livestock and daughter.
What was the second part of Wenham’s accusation?
Later a girl accused her of bewitching her, forcing her to vomit pins. Vicar’s wife accused her of shifting into a cat, 16 locals came forward to corroborate the story.
What happened after Powell’s recommendation?
After jury found her guilty, he secured a royal pardon for her. William Cowper, a sympathetic Whig politician, offered her a house until she died of old age.
When was the case?
1712
What was the impact of the case?
- Presiding judge ridiculed most evidence from neighbours- creates well-publicised, serious clash between law + popular belief, educated beliefs
What was the significance of the guilty verdict?
Despite guilty verdict, judge released her- showed willingness of law to embrace reason in face of mob hysteria. Last guilty verdict of witchcraft in England
Were there any publications about the case?
‘A Historical Essay Concerning Witchcraft’- 1718, Francis Hutchinson
Was the case really a turning point?
Witchcraft prosecutions already in decline since 1660= case should be seen as part of changing attitude rather than turning point
Why is it significant that the jury still delivered a guilty verdict despite the judge’s recommendation?
Fact jury still condemned her shows intelligentsia’s scepticism had not yet been adopted by small, rural communities like Wenham’s- ordinary illiterates still believed even if educated would challenge it.
Did belief in witchcraft stop completely amongst the elites after this case?
Several writers after 1712 still showed support for belief e.g. John Wesley
