Reasons for the hunt

Question 1

What were the causes of this hunt?

Answer 1

1. The English civil war.
2. Breakdown of traditional authority.
3. Economic context.
4. Gender.
5. Hopkins and Stearne.

Question 2

Why was the English civil war so impactful as a cause of the witch hunt?

Answer 2

1. In 1529 Charles II ruled alone for 11 years.
2. Ship taz- worsens economic situation. The tax of 1643 was 12 times higher than the one prior.
3. It made it too dangerous for the assizes to travel.
4. As much as 20% of the men went off to fight which led to s shift in traditional gender roles. Woman began to swear and drink like men.
5. Absence of traditional authority meant that various fears manifested . Fear of the enemies, became a fear of the enemies within.

Question 3

Why was the breakdown of traditional authority due to the English civil war so impactful as a cause of the witch hunt?

Answer 3

1. It meant that it was too dangerous for assizes to travel.
2. This led for an increase in men such as Hopkins and Stearne.
3. Lots of local magistrates got involved who had little or no legal training. I.e Earl of Warwick who sentenced 19 people to death.

Question 4

Why was the Economic context so impactful as a cause of the witch hunt?

Answer 4

1. Crop failures- Ergot poisoning.
2. Inflation- Price of meat and cheese rose by 20%
3. Puritan’s saw it as God’s judgement and that Charles should not return to the throne.
4. Landlords enclosed common lands- I.e Miles sandys who enclosed 4,000 acres of common land after he inherited it, despite 30 cottages being built there.
5. Fear of revenge due to a lack of Charity.

Question 5

Why was the gender so impactful as a cause of the witch hunt?

Answer 5

1. They lived in a deeply misogynistic society.
2. 80% of the victims were women.
3. Lots of accusations focused on the tasks women carried out. In EA lots of women were involved in dairy farming so when things went wrong they were liable to accusation.
4. Hopkins was particularly keen to find evidence of sexual activity with the devil.
5. Men went to fight in the war which left women vulnerable. This links to the case of Margery Sparham.

Question 6

Why were Hopkins and Stearne an influential cause of the hunt?

Answer 6

1. Hopkins had 2 older brothers so it was clear he would not inherit the estate.
2. Their zeal.
3. They were driven by the money.
4. Would always gain a confession. This links to the case of John Lowes.
5. They initially got the warrant off of Sir Harbottle Grimston.
6. The hunt initially began in 1644 when Hopkins was kept awake one night when there was a meeting of witches near his house.