North Berrick :)) Flashcards
When was North Berrick?
1590-91
Where is North Berrick?
Scotland
What is the thing that makes NB unique?
The involvement of royalty- King James I
Why was witch hunting more widespread and intense than in England (the relatively large numbers of executions and extensive use of torture)?
Scotland had a less complex system of government than England. This meant locals were allowed to pursue witch-hunts.
As the Scottish monarchy was weak, torture could be used without repercussions.
The jury system said that a majority was needed for a conviction, not a unanimous decision like in England.
Scotland faced a stricter, Calvinist P reformation.
High levels of poverty in Scotland.
Where did the hunts start in Scotland, give an overview.
Relatively late, the first major hunts started in the South and majority took place here. Commissions of judges could be set up under the Witchcraft Act in order to investigate cases, and they were sent around the country when required. This meant that witchcraft was a national, rather than local crime. Accusations in Scotland peaked in the 17c and then declined rapidly. Accusations tended to peak in times of crisis or economic difficulty.
Who was Gilly (Gellis) Duncan?
She was Seaton the local deputy-bailif’s maidservant, she wasn’t known for healing but had started to visit those sick or disabled. Some neighbours made miraculous discoveries. Some began to think it was supernatural forces. She disappeared from his house for days.
How was she different?
She was young, she was not isolated from her community.
What did Seaton do?
Questioned her about her healing abilities. Asked why she was stealing from his house and disappearing. She remained silent through the questioning and them the torture began. He used pilliwinks or thumb screws. Also cords around her head to rattle her brain. she remained silent and so they began to search for her witches mark. Discovery of a mark was enough to make her confess.
What was Duncan’s confession?
Confessed her cures were the work of the Devil and was sent to prison were she named other witches.
What was Duncan’s confession?
Confessed her cures were the work of the Devil and was sent to prison were she named other witches.
What is the main source of documentation?
Newes from Scotland -commissioned by James to be dramatic and detailed about the trials and to make himself look better.
Explain what the voyage was?
James had married the 14 year old Anne of Denmark by proxy and she attempted to set sail for Scotland three times but each time her voyage was driven back by storms. The Danish admiral had never seen storms so dangerous and he claimed that this was witchcraft (of course). However, he may have had other to claim as he was being accused of negligence.
What did James do when his voyage failed?
He ordered his cousin, Francis Stewart, who was Admiral of Scotland, to fetch his bride, he submitted his estimated costs for the trip to the Chancellor, who rejected them as too expensive, and so the Treasury and Stewart suggested that James travel to Denmark in person. Departing in October he arrived in Norway after a stormy journey and them travelled to Denmark where he stayed until spring.
It’s Bothwell!!!
Who is some people James met in Denmark?
Astronomer Tycho Brahe home.
Leading Danish theologian where he discussed Calvinist ideas at length.
Number of courtiers with strong beliefs on witchcraft.
What happened on their voyage back?
The journey was perilous and one ship was lost, and witches were again blamed by some.
What strengthened the conviction against the witches?
Later members of the Danish court made a visit to Scotland.
What evidence is the impact of Danish voyage on James?
No evidence that James was interested in witchcraft before 1590 and there were a few books on witchcraft and magic printed in Scotland.
What does the Witchcraft Act of 1563 show about the impact of the Danish voyage?
Witches were referred to as abusers of the people rather than genuine devil worshipers, reflecting that the fact that most Scots saw witchcraft as a fraudulent practice. Before the voyage, the Act was rarely enforced to the letter- in 1573 an order was given by the General Assembly of the Kirk that witches simply repent for their sins, and shows no interest in executing them.
Name a specific person who is likely to have started James belief?
Niels Hemmingsen- 1575 ‘Avoiding Magic and Superstition’.
Witches able to carry out acts of maleficum, but he denies that a pact with the Devil could take place.
Explain witchcraft in Denmark in late 16c.
Inherited a long history of medical suspicion and legal action against witches, although with-hunting in earnest arrived relatively late.
Denmark what happened in 1547, on torture and in 1576?
Suspected witches had a remarkable amount of state protection after laws were passed in 1547 to ensure fair trials.
Torture was not allowed and testimony from unreliable individuals was also excluded from trials.
Further reform was carried out in 1576 which guaranteed that appeals against local court decisions could be heard in the high court of Copenhagen. Danish trials rarely made reference to a satanic pact.
Despite these safeguards in Denmark, there were a number of high profile witch hunts that undoubtedly influenced events in Scotland. Give an example, names and numbers.
Early in the P reformation high-profile clergy has taken to labelling those who opposed them as witches. The Lutheran Bishop, Peter Palladius encouraged good Christians to speak up if they suspected someone of witchcraft, and he reported that 52 witches were burned in just one hint, after each confessed and names of others when they were found guilty.
How does Scotland’s P Reformation have similarities to Denmarks. Link this to witchcraft!
Long before the NB trials, Bessie Dunlop was accused of witchcraft in Ayr in 1576. She was charged with conversing with the Devil, who invited her to become a CATHOLIC. She has assisted her in healing animals and finding stolen goods. Similar trials in Denmark were based on accusations of hidden Catholicism!!
When was the first connection between Danish and Scottish witchcraft and what was it?
Early July 1690 when a crazed woman arrived in Leith and prophesied that James would carry out noble acts. Later that month the news reached S that a number of witches in Denmark had been arrested for conjuring up storms that had prevented Anne from travelling.
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