More definitions and key terms for the witchcraze topic

Question 1

Maleficium

Answer 1

Maleficium - An evil deed.

- By 1580 it was referred to as an act of witchcraft that was used intending to harm.

Question 2

Sacrament

Answer 2

Sacrament - A ceremony carried out to achieve spiritual grace - e.g Holy Communion.

Question 3

Devil’s mark

Answer 3

Devil’s mark - A mark on the body of somebody who had entered an agreement with the Devil.
It was believed that this would be achieved through gatherings where people would give their souls to the devil during a black sabbat by having sex.

Question 4

Cunning folk

Answer 4

Cunning folk - Someone or something (such as a fairy) generally carried out good deeds.
They are also described as folk healers.

Question 5

Assize circuit

Answer 5

Assize circuit - courts that traveled in six circuits around the country, hearing serious cases of crimes.

Question 6

Justice of the peace

Answer 6

Justice of the peace - a public official that is appointed to administer the law at a local level.

Question 7

Privy council

Answer 7

Privy council - Private council of the ruling monarch

Question 8

Vagrant

Answer 8

Vagrant - A beggar or an unemployed person. However, by the 17th century, they were seen as people that could work, but chose not to work - this could be punishable by whipping.

Question 9

Royal society

Answer 9

Royal society - established in 1660 in order to promote the idea of advancement, science, and rational thought
- Heavily contributed to the process of enlightenment.

Question 10

Dissenter

Answer 10

Dissenter - A member of the non-established church outside the church of England.

Question 11

Melancholia

Answer 11

Melancholia - Depression / sorrowfullness

Question 12

Idolater

Answer 12

Idolater - Someone who worships false idols

Question 13

Nonconformist

Answer 13

Nonconformist - A protestant who does not conform to the practices of the Church of England

Question 14

Calvinist

Answer 14

Calvinist - Somebody that follows the ideas of John Calvin - Protestant reformation - very strict - puritanism

Question 15

Heretic

Answer 15

Heretic - Someone who disagrees with the teachings of the church

Question 16

Homocentric

Answer 16

Homocentric - The belief that all rotations in the universe are centered around the Earth

Question 17

Natural Philosophy

Answer 17

The study of the natural world

Question 18

Empiricism

Answer 18

Empiricism - the belief that knowledge can only come from experience - seek out evidence to formulate theories.

Question 19

Polymath

Answer 19

Polymath - A person of wide knowledge and learning who specializes in a number of different subjects

Question 20

Convention Parliament

Answer 20

Convention Parliament - parliament assembled without the authority of the monarch

Question 21

Alchemist

Answer 21

Alchemist - Somebody who tries to turn common substances and liquids into gold and potions to cure diseases.

Question 22

Inductive reasoning

Answer 22

Inductive reasoning - Reasoning based on facts and evidence

Question 23

Deductive reasoning

Answer 23

Deductive reasoning - When a conclusion is made based on something that is known or assumed.