Witchcraft and the law 1500 to 1700 Flashcards
Attitudes towards witches.
-Belief in witches.
- They made a pact with the devil in return for powers.
-Could be identified by their association with domestic animals.
-By c.1700 attitudes were beginning to change- seen as foolish.
Law on witchcraft.
-Church courts were used for witchcraft trials and penalties were not severe.
-1542 the law changed-serious crime- punishable by death.
-1563 Elizabeth I changed the law so if they tried to kill someone they would receive the death penalty.
-It was more serious because economic problems increased, death of livestock, fear of vagabonds and after Henry VIII witches were against the king and state.
What did James I publish?
He published the demonologie in 1597. He argued that witchcraft was a crime against the king and God.
in 1603 he published a new edition.
What did Matthew Hopkins do (witchfinder general)?
1645 set up witching hunts.
Used a range of methods to secure confessions: Starvation of diet of bread and water, sleep deprivation.
What did the English civil war cause?
Caused massive disruption in 1642.
Caused economic and political chaos which created a climate of fear and attracted people to superstitious ideas.
What were the punishments for witchcraft
-Up to 1000 people were executed 1542-1736-hanging.
-Witch hunts 1645-47 most widespread episode of mass execution.
Attitudes towards women.
-Most accusations were against women.
-Women were the property of their father/husband.
-Poor people relied on them
-Some women accused were vulnerable.
Why was there a decline in accusations?
-Matthew Hopkins’s death in 1647 calmed the chaos.
-Focused on a more scientific and objective approach.
-Last execution was in 1716.
