North Berwick Flashcards
Where is North Berwick?
Scotland
When was the hunt in North Berwick?
1590-1591
Up until what year is the aftermath of North Berwick studied?
1597
What form of witchcraft was central to the hunt in North Berwick?
Maleficium
What is maleficium?
- witches could commit evil acts against people, animals or crops by using supernatural powers and interfering with nature
- Maleficia are harmful, not beneficial
What makes the events at North Berwick unique from the rest of the studies?
The involvement of royalty
Who was the monarch that took a personal interest in the events of North Berwick?
James VI of Scotland
What was witch hunting like in Scotland compared to England?
- more widespread
- more intense
- relatively large number of executions
- extensive use of torture
What was the government system in Scotland like?
- less complex than in England
What did a less complex government system mean in Scotland?
- locals were allowed to pursue witch hunts
Why could torture be used without repercussions in Scotland?
- the Scottish monarchy was weak
How was the jury system different in Scotland than in England?
- said that a majority was needed for a conviction not a unanimous decision like in England
What was the religious background of Scotland at the time?
- Scotland faced a stricter Calvinist protestant reformation
- lead to strong tensions which caused a religious split
What was the financial situation of Scotland?
- high levels of poverty in Scotland
What were commissions of judges?
- groups that could be set up under the Witchcraft Act in order to investigate cases
- they were sent around the country when required
What did the existence of the Commission of judges mean for witchcraft in Scotland?
- meant that witchcraft was a national rather than local crime
When did accusations of witchcraft peak in Scotland?
- in the 17th century
- then declined rapidly
- tended to peak in times of crisis or economic difficulty
Who was the first person accused in North Berwick?
Gilly Duncan
What was Gilly Duncan’s background?
- reputed to have healing abilities
- not a ‘typical’ witch: not isolated and not old
- worked as a maid servant for David Seaton
Who was David Seaton?
- the local deputy-bailiff
- led the initial questioning of Gilly Duncan, his maid servant
What was Gilly Duncan initially accused of?
- accused of stealing and being secretive
- questioned on her healing abilities
What happened during Gilly Duncan’s interrogation?
- tortured with piliwinks (thumb screws) and cords that tied around her head
- did not confess after torture
- she was then shaved, stripped and searched for a witches mark - they found one on her neck
- she then confessed and was sent to prison where she named other well known townspeople
What happened to Gilly Duncan?
- executed by hanging
Why did James travel to Denmark in 1590?
- James had married Anne of Denmark by proxy
- She was unable to reach Scotland due to storms pushing her journey back
- James ordered his cousin, Francis Stewart, who was the Admiral of Scotland to retrieve Anne from Denmark
- the costs of the journey were too high and were rejected by the Chancellor
- suggestions for James himself to travel to Denmark were made
- James set sail in October, and stayed in Denmark until spring
