Witchcraft- key words

Question 1

Maleficium

Answer 1

“evil deed” – by 1580 this was understood as an act of witchcraft designed to harm

Question 2

Sacrament

Answer 2

a ceremony carried out to attain spiritual grace, e.g Holy Communion

Question 3

Devil’s mark

Answer 3

mark on the body of someone who had entered a covenant with the Devil

Question 4

Cunning-Folk

Answer 4

generally carried out good deeds – folk-healers etc

Question 5

Assize circuit

Answer 5

courts that travelled in six circuits around the country, hearing serious cases

Question 6

Justice of the Peace

Answer 6

a public official appointed to administer the law at a local level

Question 7

Privy Council

Answer 7

private council of the Monarch

Question 8

Vagrant

Answer 8

beggar or someone who would wander looking for work. By 17th Century it was someone who could work but chose not to – could be punished by whipping etc

Question 9

Dissenter

Answer 9

a member of the non-established church outside the Church of England

Question 10

Idolater

Answer 10

someone who worships false idols

Question 11

Nonconformist

Answer 11

a Protestant who does not conform to the established practices of the Church of England

Question 12

Calvinist

Answer 12

follower of John Calvin – Protestant Reformation. Very strict

Question 13

Heretic

Answer 13

someone who disagrees with the teachings of the Church

Question 14

What is a Borgmaster?

Answer 14

The principal magistrate of a Danish town