North Berwick

Question 1

Where is North Berwick?

Answer 1

Scotland

Question 2

When was the hunt in North Berwick?

Answer 2

1590-1591

Question 3

Up until what year is the aftermath of North Berwick studied?

Answer 3

1597

Question 4

What form of witchcraft was central to the hunt in North Berwick?

Answer 4

Maleficium

Question 5

What is maleficium?

Answer 5

• witches could commit evil acts against people, animals or crops by using supernatural powers and interfering with nature
• Maleficia are harmful, not beneficial

Question 6

What makes the events at North Berwick unique from the rest of the studies?

Answer 6

The involvement of royalty

Question 7

Who was the monarch that took a personal interest in the events of North Berwick?

Answer 7

James VI of Scotland

Question 8

What was witch hunting like in Scotland compared to England?

Answer 8

• more widespread
• more intense
• relatively large number of executions
• extensive use of torture

Question 9

What was the government system in Scotland like?

Answer 9

• less complex than in England

Question 10

What did a less complex government system mean in Scotland?

Answer 10

• locals were allowed to pursue witch hunts

Question 11

Why could torture be used without repercussions in Scotland?

Answer 11

• the Scottish monarchy was weak

Question 12

How was the jury system different in Scotland than in England?

Answer 12

• said that a majority was needed for a conviction not a unanimous decision like in England

Question 13

What was the religious background of Scotland at the time?

Answer 13

• Scotland faced a stricter Calvinist protestant reformation
• lead to strong tensions which caused a religious split

Question 14

What was the financial situation of Scotland?

Answer 14

• high levels of poverty in Scotland

Question 15

What were commissions of judges?

Answer 15

• groups that could be set up under the Witchcraft Act in order to investigate cases
• they were sent around the country when required

Question 16

What did the existence of the Commission of judges mean for witchcraft in Scotland?

Answer 16

• meant that witchcraft was a national rather than local crime

Question 17

When did accusations of witchcraft peak in Scotland?

Answer 17

• in the 17th century
• then declined rapidly
• tended to peak in times of crisis or economic difficulty

Question 18

Who was the first person accused in North Berwick?

Answer 18

Gilly Duncan

Question 19

What was Gilly Duncan’s background?

Answer 19

• reputed to have healing abilities
• not a ‘typical’ witch: not isolated and not old
• worked as a maid servant for David Seaton

Question 20

Who was David Seaton?

Answer 20

• the local deputy-bailiff
• led the initial questioning of Gilly Duncan, his maid servant

Question 21

What was Gilly Duncan initially accused of?

Answer 21

• accused of stealing and being secretive
• questioned on her healing abilities

Question 22

What happened during Gilly Duncan’s interrogation?

Answer 22

• 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

Question 23

What happened to Gilly Duncan?

Answer 23

• executed by hanging

Question 24

Why did James travel to Denmark in 1590?

Answer 24

• 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

Question 25

What was the impact of James’ journey to Denmark on his attitudes towards witchcraft?

Answer 25

• ## no evidence to suggest that James was interested in witchcraft before 1590

Question 26

Who did James meet in Denmark that shaped his beliefs about witchcraft?

Answer 26

• scientists
• philosophers
• astronomers
• theologians
• courtiers

Question 27

Who was Niels Hemmingsen and why was he significant?

Answer 27

• a Danish theologian
• believed to have fired James’ belief in witchcraft

Question 28

What did Niels Hemmingsen say in his book, and when was it published?

Answer 28

• published in 1575
• entitled ‘Avoiding magic and superstition’
• accepted that witches were able to carry out acts of maleficum but denied that a pact with the Devil could take place

Question 29

What did the Witchcraft Act of 1563 do?

Answer 29

• forbid anyone from from using sorcery or magic
• forbid anyone from consulting with those claiming to be a witch