North Berwick Flashcards
In what ways did the System of Government affect Berwick?
Less complex governmental system meant:
- Officials allowed to pursue witch hunts without interference
- Trials dominated and directed by paranoid neighbours
Under what Circumstances was Torture used in North Berwick?
Supposed to only be used with the consent of the privy council
- Weak royals (lack of central control) meant it was often allowed by judges
- James approved of the torture
What was the Religious State of Berwick?
Anti-Catholic due to calvinist protestant reformation
What was needed for Guilt to be Determined
Simple majority not unanimous decision
Other contextual facts
Appeal of the devil higher due to people being relatively poorer
Children of accused witches treated the same
Highest % execution bar luxembourg
What was the State of Witchunts in 16th Century Scotland?
Majority happened in the south where more contact with Britain was had
Judges sent around the country
At first number of accused was low but majorly picked up in 1590-91
How did the North Berwick Trials Begin?
Begun with the confession of Gilly Duncan who reported having unnatural healing abilities
- Begun healing sick or elderly but some neighbours blamed supernatural forces
- Not a typical witch
- Maidservant for David Seaton & after failing to answer she was tortured and stated her cures had been the work of the devil after a witch mark was found
- Sent to prison and began to name other witches
What was the Kirk?
The scottish calvinist church
How did the Kirk Oppose James?
Conflict over divine right of kings
- Believed they should have power over the monarchy
- Monarchy believed they were placed there by God
What was Calvinism and How did it Interact with Witchcraft?
Calvinists believed in a personal covenant between a person and God
- They believed witchcraft inverted this relationship making it one between man and devil
- Diabolical view of witchcraft
How was James’ Upbringing Tumultous?
- Father murdered when James was 8 months old
- Mother (Mary Queen of Scots (Catholic)) married suspected murderer
- Uprising against Mary led to her abdication and she fled to England
- Mary executed by her cousin Elizabeth I for plotting to overthrow her
What Religious Upbringing did James have?
- Concern for mothers catholicism countered by calvinist tutors
- Inherited a country struggling to define its religious identity
- Discovered catholic plot led by Gordon (influential catholic nobleman) and Spain for an invasion of Scotland in 1589
How did James use the Witch Trials to his Advantage?
- Used outcome of the trials to project his own political power
- Present himself as a Godly figure and to protect himself from the Kirk
How else did James involve himself in Politics?
- Newes from scotland spread word to england
- Use divine right of kings to assert his claim to the throne ( Wanted to protect himself politicaly and the witch trials aided this)
Who was the Earl of Bothwell?
- Cousin of James (Perceived as a political rival)
- Accused by Agnes Sampson (though she didn’t know him)
- Possible claim to throne if James died without heir
- Trial led to being stripped of titles & land