Case study 3 - Matthew Hopkins and the witch-hunts of 1645–47 Flashcards

1
Q

1536

A

Henry VIII accuses Anne Boleyn of being a witch

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2
Q

1542

A

Witchcraft Act - witchcraft is now a criminal rather than religious offence, so witches are now hung

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3
Q

Reasons for the rise of witchcraft?

A

The role of individuals

Social context

Religion

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4
Q

What role did individuals play in the rise of witchcraft?

A

Henry VIII - Witchcraft Act passed under him

James I - ‘Demonologie’ a book which educated people on how to spot a witch. Called them the “detestable slaves of the Devil

Matthew Hopkins - ‘witchfinder general’ of 1644-7. Working mainly in East Anglia, he goes on a run which kills 400

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5
Q

How did social context affect the rise of witchcraft?

A

The Civil War of 1642-9 caused disruption and left many women widowed

Due to poor harvests, more women were begging, making them an easy target

People didn’t understand why natural events occurred (e.g. crop failure) - they blamed it on the Devil)

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6
Q

How did religion affect the rise of witchcraft?

A

The Reformation - English Church split between Catholics and Protestants, causing confusion, fear and suspicion

Puritan rule from 1649-59. Anyone living outside their strict rules were treated with suspicion

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7
Q

Reasons for the fall of witchcraft?

A

Changing attitudes of the monarchy

Growth in rational thought

Changes in social and economic context

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8
Q

How did the changing attitudes of the monarchy affect the fall of witchcraft?

A

In France, Louis XVI refused to sign death orders for several convicted witches in England

Charles II was extremely sceptical towards the subject

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9
Q

How did growth in rational thought affect the fall of witchcraft?

A

The scientific revolution began to gather speed around the 1650s.

The royal society was a group of scientists that met regularly to discuss their ideas and experiments

People found logical explanations for phenomena - e.g. why illness was caused (when vaccinations were discovered)

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10
Q

How did changes in social and economic context affect the fall of witchcraft?

A

English Civil war ends in 1649.

By the late 1600s, there were fewer crop failures (as a result of fewer droughts) - life, as a result, became more stable

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11
Q

Who was convicted of witchcraft?

A

Mostly women, that were often widows

Pets believed to be ‘familiars’ - supposedly messengers from the Devil

People with a background in healing

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12
Q

What evidence was used against witches?

A

Unusual marks on their bodies

The needles test - it was believed that, wherever the Devil had touched them, they would be insensitive to pain

The swimming test - being dunked in a river hands tied. If you floated, you were a witch

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13
Q

How were witches punished?

A

After the Witchcraft Act, this crime was punishable by HANGING - not being burnt (that was before the act)

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