North Berwick Flashcards
How was witchcraft seen legally in Scotland before the hunt?
1563: Scottish Witchcraft Law
→ made the use of witchcraft illegal
→ allowed for commissions to be set up to investigate
→ established the crime of witchcraft at a national level
What was King James VI’s childhood?
Mother: Mary Queen of Scots
Raised by a regent
James is well educated and taught about Calvinism (extreme Protestantism)
What happens with James and Denmark?
- James married Anne of Denmark, a protestant Princess (1589)
- Attempts to sail to Scotland 3 times but each time storms prevent it
How does King James become influenced by witchcraft?
- Suggested by Earl of Bothwell that James go over himself
- While there he met with Niels Hemmingsen and other Calvinists with strong beliefs in witchcraft
Who was Calvinism founded by?
- John Calvin (C16th), part of the wider growth of denominations following the European Reformation
- Believe that Scripture comes directly from God, therefore it must be followed
What are the beliefs of Calvinism?
- To earn a place in heaven each individual must take responsibility for their actions, there isn’t an eternal supply of forgiveness
- Satan and its demons are real, the Bible teaches that they are massively influential
How does Calvinism link to witch hunts in Scotland?
- Bessie Dunlop → accused in 1576, conversing with the Devil who invited her to become Catholic.
- Calvinist accusations = hidden Catholicism
What is the timeline of the witch hunt?
October 1589- James goes to Denmark
May 1590- Anne and James return to Scotland
July 1590- 12 witches executed in Denmark
Nov. 1590- Gilly Duncan accused and interrogated
Dec. 1590- Agnes Sampson + John Fian tortured by King James
April 1591- James’ cousin, the Earl of Bothwell arrested for witchcraft.
What was Malleus Maleficarum, Heinrich Kramer (1487)
‘Hammer of Witches’?
A handbook for inquisitors and judges of witch trials
→ Outlined the nature of accusations
→ How a trial should be carried out
→ Justification for why witches were women
What effect did Malleus Maleficarum have on Scottish society?
“Encouraged the rapid growth of pre-existing ideas, and transformed them into a widespread paranoia”
Why did Malleus Maleficarum have such a big impact?
→ used a Papal declaration as the introduction, gave it a perceived weight
→ used scripture to support assertions (Exodus 22:18)
What factors caused fear to be created?
- Instability
- Lack of Understanding
- Hardship
- Threat of Harm
What were the causes for a decrease in rationality?
Events that affect people’s day to day lives cause these feelings
→ people look for alternative explanations for why something is happening
→ leads to people acting differently to how they would do normally group actions
How do the 12 witches executed in Denmark influence James?
Danish courtiers arrive in Scotland and share the news: strengthens James’ burgeoning belief
What happens when Gilly Duncan is arrested?
Agnes Sampson mentioned by Duncan in her confession, accused of being part of causing the storms. This catches the attention of James and he becomes involved in torture and interrogation.
Why was Agnes Sampson important?
Due to her role in society Sampson was aware of many upper-class members of society, and these are listed in her confession as being part of her coven.
How was the religious and political nature of Scotland important for the hunt?
Established a tradition for witch hunting + exacerbated fears already present.
What were the religious aspects of Scotland of the time?
- Religious upheaval under King James → the 1584 Black Acts increased his control over the Kirk (Church)
- Strong anti-Catholic feeling in society heightened well established traditions
What were the political aspects of Scotland at the time?
- Less complex system of government than England (much more land as well)
- Very few local officials that enforced the law → allowed local judges to practice without interference (includes use of torture)
- 1563 Witchcraft Act → Commissions of judges could be set up to investigate
How do the political/religious aspects of Scotland relate to the hunt?
→ The Witchcraft Act gives Seaton permission to investigate Duncan when he is suspicious
→ Seaton isn’t stopped from using torture despite not having permission → Duncan confesses and accuses more people.
What did Scottish society allow for?
created the environment for a hunt + allowed for fear to grow easily.
What parts of Scottish society reflected women?
- Women were seen as ‘lesser’ than men = patriarchal society
Women focussed on ‘the domestic’ (reproduction + healing) - Quarrels were a normal aspect of society, and usually linked to an aspect of women’s work (work → misfortune → quarrel → misfortune → witch)
What were views on marriage in Scottish society?
- Marriage was a vital aspect of social rituals and relationships
- Regular marriage = promises made in public, followed by sex
- Irregular marriage = promises made in secret, followed by sex (diabolic pact)
How does Scottish society relate to the hunts?
→ Duncan begins to heal people in her community and misses days off work
→ neighbours suspicious about nature of healing, items go missing, Seaton grows suspicious
→ now believe Duncan and Seaton were having an affair →irregular marriage that broke down
