Key Terms Flashcards
Define Maleficium
“Evil deed”
By 1580 this was understood as an act of witchcraft designed to harm
Define Sacrament
A ceremony carried out to attain spiritual grace e.g. Holy Communion
Define Devil’s mark
Mark on the body of someone who has entered a covenant with the Devil
Define Cunning folk
Generally carried out good deeds - folk healers etc
Define Assize circuit
Courts that travelled in 6 circuits around the country, hearing serious cases
Define Privy council
Private council of the monarch
Define Vagrant
Beggar or someone who would wander looking for work
By C.17th it was someone who could work but chose not to - could be punished by whipping etc
Define Royal Society
Founded in 1660 in order to promote the advancement of science & rational thought
Define Dissenter
A member of the non-established church outside of the Church of England
Define Melancholia
Depression/sorrowfulness
Define Idolater
Someone who worships false idols
Define Nonconformist
A Protestant who does not conform to the established practices of the Church of England
Define Calvinist
Follower of John Calvin - Protestant reformation
Very strict
Define Heretic
Someone who disagrees with the teaching of the church
Define Homocentric
Belief that all rotations in the universe are centred on earth
Define Natural philosophy
The study of the natural world
Define Empiricism
Belief that knowledge can only come from experience- seek out evidence to formulate theories
Define Polymath
A person of wide knowledge & learning who specialises in a no. different subjects
Define Convention parliament
Parliament assembled without the authority of the monarch
Define Alchemist
Someone who tries to transform common substances & liquids into gold or potions to cure disease
Define Inductive reasoning
Reasoning based on evidence
Define Deductive reasoning
When a conclusion is made based on something already known/assumed
Define Kirk
Scottish church