North Berwick Flashcards
When did the North Berwick hunt(s) take place
1590-1591
Then picks up again from 1591-1597
How many people were affected by the North Berwick hunt?
70 people between 1590-1593
Which group of people were targeted during the North Berwick hunt?
A large number of women but some men as well
How was the Scottish government system different to England?
It was less complex and fewer royal agents to keep an eye on local officials
What religious changes did Scotland go through in the sixteenth century?
A reformation- but along stricter Protestant lines, there was a heightening on anti-Catholic feeling
How else was Scotland different to England?
- Torture could be used with authority from the government
- A greater number of people were poor
- Only a majority was needed to find someone guilty, not a unanimous decision
What role does James take in the witch hunts?
He is actively involved, personally interrogating the witches
How did James’ childhood lead to paranoid thoughts?
- His mother was forced to abdicate due to conspiracies and later killed by Elizabeth I.
- His mother was a Catholic but he was taught there was a Catholic antiChrist working in Scotland
- It led to him being fearful of treason and plots to kill him
What impact would James have had on the witch hunts?
It couldn’t have led to them starting but could have helped them to become more widespread as James became more involved
Why did James have to travel to Denmark?
His wife Anne was from Denmark and he needed to go and collect her as storms had prevented her from travelling
How did James’ visit to Denmark influence his beliefs on magic?
Niels Hemmingsen- he had written a book on magic and related subjects in 1575
Witch Trials in Denmark had taken place throughout the C16th
How was Anna Koldings connected to the Denmark visits and the North Berwick witch trials?
She was accused of raising a storm to sink Anne’s ship and sending demons onboard to pull it under
She gave the names of 5 other women- who were also accused, including Agnes Sampson
Who were Gilly Duncan and David Seaton?
- Gilly Duncan had worked for David Seaton, a local bailiff
- She had taken time off work to heal ill and elderly members of her community - they recovered
- He also accused her of stealing, there were also rumours of them having an affair
What is Gilly Duncan accused of?
Having ‘unnatural healing abilities’
How was Gilly Duncan treated after she was arrested?
- She was tortured with thumbscrews and cords around her head - failed to confess
- She was searched for a witches mark- this led to her confession
Who was Agnes Sampson?
- She was a friend of Gilly Duncan and was personally interrogated by King James
- She was an elderly woman who had a reputation as a midwife, healer and cunning woman
What was Agnes Sampson accused of?
Healing the sick, discovering information of a personal nature on behalf of others, sailing across the sea in a sieve, calling on the devil in the form of a dog to assist with healing
What happened during Agnes Sampsons trial?
- She was tortured both during questioning (cords tied around her limbs) and while imprisoned (witches bridle and sleep deprivation)
- She admits to being responsible for the storms during James journey from Denmark
- She was able to repeat what James said to Anne on their first night of marriage
- She accused many other witches, including some high ranking members of society
Who was John Fian?
- A schoolmaster, who was implicated by Gilly Duncan
- He was suspected because he was able to speak Latin and Greek- illiterate locals didn’t trust him
What was John Fian accused of?
Being the secretary at coven meetings, bewitching a man, attempting to bewitch a woman to fall in love with him, robbing graves for body parts to use in charms
How was John Fian tortured and why do we know this?
It was recorded in Newes from Scotland
- Nails under the fingers
- Boots
- Head twisted with a rope
Who was the Earl of Bothwell?
-First cousin of James- but loses favour when he openly criticises James
-James disliked Bothwell- Bothwell had suggested that
make the journey to Denmark- storms part of a plot to kill James
What happens to Bothwell?
Bothwell is arrested but escapes, he pleads with the King who gives him a trial- he is initially acquitted.
James fears him and withdraws his pardon- Bothwell flees to Europe
How does Bothwell explain why the trials became widespread?
- Shows that belief in magic was tightly intertwined with politics- increased paranoia of treason for James
- Suggests that there could be ulterior motives for accusations
