page 1 Flashcards
Who was Matthew Hopkins?
Matthew Hopkins was known as the Witchfinder General during the English Civil War.
What was the role of a Justice of the Peace (JP) in Early Modern England?
JPs were responsible for seeking out individuals seen as a religious threat or those who refused to follow the rules of the Protestant Church.
What financial incentive did JPs have in witch trials?
JPs were paid the same as an average monthly wage for each accused witch they brought to trial.
What interrogation methods did Matthew Hopkins use?
Hopkins used sleep deprivation and restricted food to obtain confessions.
What was the purpose of the ‘mark of the Devil’ during witch trials?
It was sought after as physical ‘evidence’ of witchcraft.
How many people were estimated to be investigated for witchcraft due to Hopkins’s actions?
Approximately 300 people were investigated for witchcraft.
How many people were executed by hanging due to Hopkins’s witch hunts?
112 people were executed by hanging.
What was the most common form of execution for witchcraft in England?
Death by hanging.
What was the myth regarding the execution of witches in England?
It is a myth that witches were burned in England; this occurred in other countries.
What was the swimming test in witch trials?
The guilty would float while the innocent would sink.
Did Matthew Hopkins use the swimming test?
No, Hopkins did not use the swimming test.
What societal views contributed to the suspicion of women being witches?
Women were seen as the weaker sex and more likely to be tempted into evil.
What role did wise women play in their communities?
Wise women provided advice on medicine, health, and childbirth, often gaining respect from the poor.
What significant period began in the 1700s that contributed to the decline of belief in witchcraft?
The Enlightenment.
What organization was established in London during the Enlightenment?
The Royal Society.
