Key words for Witches

Question 1

Maleficium

Answer 1

an ‘evil deed’, by 1580 this was understood as an act of witchcraft designed to cause harm

Question 2

Sacrament

Answer 2

a ceremony carried out to attain spiritual grace

e.g Holy Communion

Question 3

Devil’s Mark

Answer 3

a mark on the body of someone who has entered a covenant with the devil

Question 4

Cunning-folk

Answer 4

generally carried out good deeds like folk healers

Question 5

Assize Circuit

Answer 5

courts that travel in six circuits around the country hearing serious cases

Question 6

Justice of the Peace

Answer 6

a public official appointed to administer the law at a local level

Question 7

Privy Council

Answer 7

a private council of the Monarch

Question 8

Vagrant

Answer 8

a beggar/someone who would wonder looking for work

by the 17th C it was someone who could work but chose not to & could be punished by whipping

Question 9

dissenter

Answer 9

a member of the non-established Church outside the C of E

Question 10

Idolater

Answer 10

someone who worships false idols

Question 11

Non-Conformist

Answer 11

a PROTESTANT who doesn’t conform to the established practices of the C of E

Question 12

Calvinist

Answer 12

followers of John Calvin

protestant reformation & very strict

Question 13

Heretic

Answer 13

someone who disagrees with the teachings of the Church