North Berwick and wider Scottish hunts Flashcards
When did the North Berwick witch hunt take place?
1590-91
What happened to James VI parents?
Father was murdered when he was a baby. Mother (Mary Queen of Scots) killed by Elizabeth the 1st.
Who is James most significant cousin?
The Earl of Bothwell
What is Calvinism?
A branch of Protestantism that emphasises sovereignty of God and authority of the bible.
Why was Gilly Duncan accused of being a witch?
She had gained a reputation for being a healer and her boss, David Seaton had caught her sneaking out at night.
Who is David Seaton?
A local official and Gilly’s employer. Decides to question Gilly who he may have had an affair with. He accused her of stealing and unexplained absences.
How did David Seaton get Gilly Duncan to confess?
He tortured her with pilliwinks and cords around her head, which was illegal without the Privy councils permission. He then found the witches mark which led to her confession.
Who did Gilly Duncan denounce?
John Fian and Agnes Sampson
What was the socio-economic context of the North Berwick witch hunts.
Strong Anti-Catholic sentiment- suspicion of rituals.
Majority of population relied on subsistence farming. Poor country so the appeal for witches was understandable. Deeply patriarchal, women had very little to non power.
What was the political context of the North Berwick hunts?
Weak central government-local officials could persue own agenda. Torture often used without permission.
What was the role of torture in NB?
Was approved by James, Agnes Sampson was subject to thumb screws and cords around the head. Could only be used if approved by privy council however was frequently used without official permission.
What happened to John Fian
Was arrested and charged with 20 counts of witchcraft and high treason. He was tortured and claimed he renounced the devil but could never escape his clutches. Tortured by head twisting with rope, needles in fingernails, placed in the boots. Refused to confess.
Why was John Fian accused?
He was one of the few well educated people who knew Greek and Latin, people suspected that he had secret knowledge.
How did James’ background influence his beliefs?
His childhood was marked by political crisis- dad murdered when he was young and mother was forced to abdicate and fled to England- executed in 1587. Thought plots would begin at any time. Grew up in a religious environment- Calvinist tutors- appeased Catholics to maintain stability.
Outline the Earl of Bothwell’s role in creating a state of instability.
He invoked plots in the 1580s, was accused of plotting against James and ordering witches to use magic against the King. He attempted to kill James in December 1591 which aided the air of instability.
Outline Bothwell’s involvements in NB.
Sampson confessed that he asked her to divine how long James would live and requested she predict what would happen after his death. Richard Graham confessed he was part of the conspiracy. James was suspicious of Bothwell due to Danish storms and also feared his power as a magician.
Compare the 1563 witchcraft act in England and Scotland.
English: would only be executed if you killed someone, damaged people or animals twice.
Scottish: Executed for any use of witchcraft.
What features were unique to the NB hunts in comparison to the later Scottish hunts?
The involvement of Bothwell, Involvement of James, women of higher status were accused.
Outline typical features of Scottish witch hunts.
Local gossip tended to lead to accusations (pressure from below)
Use of torture with approval of Privy council
Mass hysteria- natural phenomenon caused panic such as crop failure and weather events.
What influence did the Kirk have over the wider hunts?
They took over prosecuting witches due to disorganization of the government, promoted witch hunting from 1592 and became the driving force. Churches had a box in which people could put in names of possible witches.
How did the case of Margaret Aitken cause the decline of witch hunting after 1597?
Was accused of being a witch but offered immunity to convict other witches. Discredited after 4 months due to identifying people she had previously cleared. Led to more skepticism and harsher laws.
What was the 1591 commission?
A commission set up by the Privy Council to hunt down witches. Only 6 commissioners.
What did the 1592 Kirk-state commission do?
Was passed to promote witch-hunting as commissioners sent around Scotland with authority to empower local leaders to investigate witchcraft. License for an indiscriminate witch hunt.
How many were tried an executed in the 1597 hunt?
400 tried and 200 executed.
