Sceptical Publications (Decline in beliefs)

Question 1

Who published ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’, when was it published, and who inspired it?

Answer 1

Reginald Scot, an English rational thinker, published it in 1584. Inspired by John Weyer’s ‘On the Illusion of Demons’ published 21 years b4.

Question 2

Summarise the argument made in ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’; was any evidence included against witchcraft in this publication?

Answer 2

• ?d whether there was any biblical basis/foundation for witch hunting.
• Used philosophy and rational thinking to establish the impossibility of the deeds confessed by witches.

Question 3

Who published ‘The Fraudulent Practises of John Darrell, what was the background of the author and when was it published?

Answer 3

Samuel Harsnett sat on the council that investigated Darrell (Boy of B), strong Protestant and chaplain to an Anglican Bishop in London. Published this in 1599

Question 4

Summarise the argument made in ‘The Fraudulent Practises of John Darrell’; was any evidence included against witchcraft in this publication?

Answer 4

• Highly critical of use of exorcism + reliability of evidence that led to its use- comes close to denying witchcraft completely, felt there were natural explanations for ‘magical phenomenon’.
• Nothing concrete, his interpretation + perspective of religious practices

Question 5

Who published ‘A Candle in the Dark’, what was their background and when did they publish it?

Answer 5

Thomas Ady, a respected doctor from Essex (familiar w/events in E. Anglia), was appalled at no. of wrongful executions that had occurred. Published this in 1656.

Question 6

Summarise the argument made in ‘A Candle in the Dark’

Answer 6

Says witch-hunts have no biblical basis, things associated w/witches (familiars, witches mark etc.) can’t be found anywhere in the bible. Criticised physicians who failed to understand illness + blamed them on witchcraft. Directly attacked ‘Daemonologie’

Question 7

Was any evidence included against witchcraft in ‘A Candle in the Dark’?

Answer 7

Only uses the Bible as its source, the same used by witchfinders to justify persecutions, refers to Scot’s work as a direct influence. His work had mostly been forgotten by this time.

Question 8

Who published ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’, what was the background of the author and when was it published?

Answer 8

Published in 1677 by John Webster- Critical of Glanvill who defended witchcraft as genuine. Influenced by Ady, also worked as a doctor b4 preaching as a nonconformist.

Question 9

Summarise the argument made in ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’; was any evidence included against witchcraft in this publication?

Answer 9

• Agreed w/Ady- beliefs not founded in Bible should be rejected-
• Central belief: witches exist but unable to command supernatural powers, no assistance from Devil
• Evidence: Visited places where wrongful trials had been held; Edmund Robinson from Pendle Swindle

Question 10

Who published ‘The Enchanted World’, what was the background of the author and when was it published?

Answer 10

Published by Balthasar Bekker in 1691. Dutch clergyman, wrote about philosophy, theology and witchcraft. Influenced by the Calvinist tradition, later became minister. Heavily influenced by Scot and Ady

Question 11

Summarise the argument made in ‘The Enchanted World’?

Answer 11

Believed in impossibility of witchcraft; unless Devil has a body, it’d be impossible for him to possess, influence ppl on Earth. Devil permanently in hell, can’t be on Earth, an instrument of God.

Question 12

Was any evidence included against witchcraft in ‘The Enchanted World’?

Answer 12

• Evidence: Bible was main source but approached it in rational, unbiased way
• Shows awareness there was a lot about nature and rational thinking he didn’t know

Question 13

How revolutionary was ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’?

Answer 13

Went against popular beliefs, heightening its ability to change attitudes- provided radical new way of seeing witch craze.

Question 14

How did the elites react to ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’?

Answer 14

K. James ordered all copies to be burned, denounced Scot in his own book ‘Daemonologie’- underlines importance of book, suggests ppl saw his argument as genuine threat to their beliefs.

Question 15

How influential was Reginald Scot in terms of scepticism?

Answer 15

1st English author to show scepticism; planted the seed. His work inspired later sceptics, none who really went beyond his ideas. Writers like l8r Ady + Bekker- arguably most influential sceptic- indebted to Scot’s arguments.

Question 16

How was the impact of ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’ limited?

Answer 16

Scot still maintained belief in witches + Devil’s pwr. So even tho he criticised components of witchcraze he failed to get to <3 of issue- arguably this was due to emotional hatred of Papists + writing b4 scifi revolution

Question 17

Did ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’ affect the amount of witch trials?

Answer 17

Scot’s work preceded most ferocious period of witchhunts in England- 1604 act was harshest, from 1644-46 300 women sentenced to death. Powerful arguments but not being heard

Question 18

How popular were the later editions of the Discoverie of Witchcraft?

Answer 18

Republished several times but l8r editions like that published in 1651 were more popular than 1st edition.

Question 19

How did Darrel respond to Harsnett’s book?

Answer 19

Darrel responded in ‘A detection of the sinful, shaming, lying and ridiculous discourse of Samuel Harsnett’ (1600)

Question 20

Who responded in support of Harsnett’s book?

Answer 20

John Deacon + John Walker 2 ministers w/Puritan sympathies ?d if it was even possible in their pamplet ‘Dialogical discourses of spirits and devils (1601)’

Question 21

How did Darrell respond to the later support of Harsnett’s book?

Answer 21

Darrel responded w/’The Replie of John Darrell to the answere of John Deacon and John Walker’ (1602) where he repeated he’d witnessed all possessions he claimed to have seen

Question 22

What was the impact of ‘A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel’ (1599)?

Answer 22

• Pamphlet War- immediate impact- promoted wider discussion about witchcraft and possession
• Proposes idea possessions can be faked (witches oft thought responsible for demonic possession- undermined accusations of bewitchment)

Question 23

How was the impact of ‘A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel’ limited?

Answer 23

• Despite accusations of fraud many still supported Darrell- Joseph Hall, later Bishop of Exeter, wrote Darrell did perform exorcisms
• Harsnett, Deacon, Walker’s views in minority

Question 24

Why is it important that the pamphlet war after Harsnett’s book was published wasn’t centred on witchcraft?

Answer 24

Pamphlet war centred on exorcism + Devil’s power, so didn’t seem to fight belief in witchcraft at all

Question 25

What effect did Harsnett’s religion have on the impact of his argument?

Answer 25

Limited impact- Case of factional fighting w/in Christianity-

Harsnett=CofE conformist, in writing he shows anti-Cath views, suggests exorcism is false, heretic act.

Darrell is Puritan- fasting+prayer widely accepted forms of exorcism for Puritans

Question 26

The only source used for ‘A Candle in the Dark’ was the Bible. How did this exacerbate its impact?

Answer 26

Ppl used bible to justify witch-hunts, so suggesting it actually contradicts beliefs in witchcraft Ady undermined legitimacy of hunts.

Question 27

Thomas Ady believed witches didn’t possess supernatural powers. Why was this significant (Impact of a Candle in the Dark)?

Answer 27

Suggests women accused of maleficium under 1604 Act are innocent thereby undermining law + all accusations. Reflected materialism.

Question 28

How did ‘A Candle in the Dark’ promote rational thinking?

Answer 28

Explained magic tricks- exposed certain magic as fake, helped ppl separate magic from reality- helping ppl understand some phenomenons can explained using rational explanation.

Question 29

What was the semi-tangible effect of ‘A Candle in the Dark’?

Answer 29

• Criticisms of tactics of witch-hunters eg swim test may have influenced judges- adopted higher standards for evidence in witch trials towards end of 17th century
• Witch trials decreased from 1600 onwards- can be partly attributed to Ady

Question 30

How radical was ‘A Candle in the Dark’?

Answer 30

• Book didn’t put forward newer or more radical idea to Scot’s + failed to outright question existence of witches
• Should be seen as part of wider intellectual change taking place by 1650s/60s

Question 31

Did ‘A Candle in the Dark’ have a tangible impact on the number of witch trials?

Answer 31

Came out after most intense hunts had already happened- supports idea that decline in witch trials was more due to ppl’s negative experiences of witch-craze than influence of sceptics like Ady.

Question 32

Why was it significant that ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ discussed the Roland Jenks case and dismissed it?

Answer 32

Key development in rational thought- argues that supernatural phenomena only appears so. Even though we can’t explain it, it is explainable.

Question 33

In terms of challenging the idea of ‘maleficium’, how was ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ significant?

Answer 33

Argued witches did exist but didn’t have supernatural powers or assistance from Devil- challenges maleficium and diabolism, charges brought against witches

Question 34

In terms of reception and credibility, how was ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ significant?

Answer 34

• Response from intellectuals eg Seth Ward, John Wilkins, Henry More, show he was well-respected, ideas influenced others
• Thorough use of evidence (some first-hand) lends him credibility- sets him apart from other sceptics

Question 35

‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ received a lot of support from the Royal Society. How did this elevate its impact?

Answer 35

• Royal Society=newly scientific organisation suggests he influenced scepticism amongst elite intelligentsia
• Webster was non-conformist, so needed their support in order to have his ideas published + promoted

Question 36

‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ discusses the 1577 Roland Jenks case. What are the details of this case?

Answer 36

Jenks=bookseller jailed for selling Catholic literature; said to have uttered curse at trial, w/in days 100s died (probs from typhus). Webster suggested he poisoned the ppl - accusations of harm done by supernatural can have natural causes.

Question 37

How was the impact of the ‘Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ limited?

Answer 37

Not v. radical- repeats arguments of Ady + Scot. Didn’t fundamentally challenge belief in witches + published at time when witch craft beliefs were already in decline

Question 38

How was religion used to support the argument of ‘The Enchanted World’?

Answer 38

• Used Bible as primary source
• Argued Devil trapped in Hell, can’t influence Earth
• Used Cartesian methodology to argue those who believed Devil had any real power were heretics- believing in 2 Gods

Question 39

How was religion used to support the argument of ‘The Enchanted World’?

Answer 39

• Used Bible as primary source
• Argued Devil was symbol (in hell), no way of intervening in material world (earth)- fusion of materialism + religious conviction
• Used Cartesian methodology to argue those who believed Devil had any real power were heretics- believing in 2 Gods

Question 40

How did the first known historian of the witch craze, Gottlieb Soldan, describe ‘The Enchanted World’?

Answer 40

Said Bekker struck at <3 of witch craze by destroying belief in devil

Question 41

1. How did ‘An Enchanted World’ make people start to question belief in witches?
2. How quickly did his ideas spread?

Answer 41

1. Challenged idea of Diabolical pacts for power- brings into ? existence of witches
2. Quickly- 4k sold in Holland w/in 1st 2 months of publishing- well-received + had great influence on attitudes

Question 42

What backlash did Bekker receive in response to ‘An Enchanted World’ being published?

Answer 42

• Received many pamphlets in reply that criticised him for causing decline in witchcraft beliefs- suggests work cut through to society’s attitude
• Lost job as Calvinist Minister, put on trial for blasphemy, atheism; implies beliefs were radical+Church saw it as influential enough to be a threat

Question 43

How can you argue that the date at which ‘The Enchanted World’ was published limits its influence?

Answer 43

• Witch trials already on decline by then- Alice Molland was last witch executed in England in 1685
• Could argue any rise in scepticism after this is due to scientific advances as science provides explanations for natural events that made supernatural beliefs redundant.

Question 44

‘The Enchanted World’ was originally published in Dutch. How does historian Trevor-Roper argue this limits its influence?

Answer 44

Points out most controversy surrounding the book was confined to Dutch language- limited influence on attitudes of those who didn’t speak Dutch, so his importance in British context shouldn’t be overstated.