The Pendle Swindle Case in more detail

Question 1

When was the case?

Answer 1

1634

Question 2

What was the role of Edmund Robinson?

Answer 2

Accused Jennett Device of participating in a Sabbat in woods. Robinson w/3 local magistrates organised local hunts, accused 17 more from local churches.

Question 3

What did Margaret Johnson do?

Answer 3

Innocent but confessed, undermined the belief in confessions.

Question 4

What was questioned after the case?

Answer 4

Presiding magistrate was sceptical, referred it to Privy Council in London. Questions raised over use of sleep deprivation and sanity of some of the accused

Question 5

What led to Robinson confessing to fraud?

Answer 5

The evidence was questioned by the London Privy Council

Question 6

How significant was the case in terms of who knew about it?

Answer 6

• Involvement of Privy Council + King Charles shows it gained relevance amongst the powerful elites- may have influenced King’s scepticism.
• Relatively few witchcraft prosecutions in the 1630s

Question 7

How significant was the approach taken by the prosecution in this case?

Answer 7

• Evidence-based approach through further ?ing + involvement of surgeons reveals more careful, sceptical approach to witch trials was developing

Question 8

Scepticism of the trial

Answer 8

• Scepticism of Robinson’s claim throughout entire trial
• Trial proved witchcraft accusations can be motivated by non-supernatural reasons, + accusers should be viewed sceptically

Question 9

Which sceptic writer was influenced by this case in particular?

Answer 9

Webster personally met Robinson, influenced by case + went on to write influential sceptical publication in 1677 (The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft).

Question 10

How was the impact of the case limited in terms of direct change and influence on wider society?

Answer 10

• Provoked little change- no justice for accused women, many still held in custody 3 years after trial
• No significant publications of case at time so impact on opinions of those outside trial v.limited

Question 11

How was Robinson affected by the case being proved fraudulent?

Answer 11

• Robinson became pro witch-hunter- case didn’t impact his credibility or cause people to doubt witchcraft
• Importance+influence of witch hunters still would rise b4 it declined; case was 11 tears b4 E.Anglia witch hunt