breadth - impact of sceptical publications Flashcards
(24 cards)
what did Reginald Scot publish?
The Discovery of Witchcraft
1584
what influenced Reginald Scot?
Johann Weyer’s ‘On the Illusions of Demons’ (1563) which argued the majority of accused witches suffered from melancholia and that those who were guilty were in fact just tools of the Devil.
as a radical Protestant, member of the Family of Love, and made connection between fraudulent witch-hunts and the Catholic Church
Scot’s ‘The Discovery of Witchcraft’ (1584)
claimed that disturbances were too often attributed to witches when there is no evidence
women who genuinely believed they were witches could have been suffering from melancholia or delusions
the book was highly controversial and had to be self-published
what was the outcome of Scot’s ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft’ (1584)?
James I ordered for all copies to be banned and wrote ‘Daemonologie’ (1597) in response
why was Reginald Scot so sceptical about witchcraft?
devoted to a belief in the ‘supernatural unknown’
- undiscovered elements of nature could explain unknown phenomena, which discounts witchcraft as an explanation
saw children being used as witnesses at the Chelmsford trials, which affirmed his belief that most trials were held on dubious foundations
what did Samuel Harsnett publish?
‘A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practises of John Darrel’
1599
who was Samuel Harsnett?
involved in the Boy of Burton case and was highly suspicious
had a degree from Cambridge
1582: ordained as a minister
rose through the ranks of the clergy
1609: Bishop of Chichester
1629: Archbishop of York
what was Harsnett’s ‘A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practises of John Darrel’ (1599)?
outlines the Boy of Burton case and demonstrates Darrel’s fraudulent practices as he instructed Somers to feign possession
what was the pamphlet war?
Darrel responded to Harsnett
John Deacon and John Walker questioned whether exorcism was even possible
Darrel responded and affirmed the reality of possessions
this wider debate revealed uncertainty and debate surrounding the possibility of possession
what did Thomas Ady publish?
‘A Candle in the Dark’
1656
who was Thomas Ady?
believed to have been a renowned doctor, which suggests he was highly educated
what was ‘A Candle in the Dark’ (1656)?
used the Bible as its only source
argued that the actions of witchfinders and suspicions about witches can’t be found in written form anywhere in the Bible
explained that original scriptures had been misinterpreted
what did Thomas Ady believe?
believed witches existed, but that the definition if a witch as found in the Bible was not the same as the 17th century definition used in witch-hunts
what influenced Thomas Ady’s ‘A Candle in the Dark’ (1656)?
Scot’s ‘The Discovery of Witchcraft’ is mentioned as a direct influence
his work is essentially a revision of Scot’s original message
what did John Webster publish?
‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’
1677
who was John Webster?
was a doctor and had studied chemistry and medicine, becoming interested in the scientific method
1648: left the Church of England and became a nonconformist
what was ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ (1677)?
beliefs not founded in the teachings of the Bible should be rejected
written in response to other authors who claimed that witch-hunts were legitimate
Webster’s central belief was that witches existed but they couldn’t command supernatural powers
what influenced John Webster?
Demon Drummer of Tedworth
- Webster was highly critical and believed Mompesson was responsible
Pendle Swindle (1634)
- Webster had met Robinson and seen the dubious case first-hand
the case of Roland Jenks (1577)
- Jenks was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of people through cursing them
- Webster blamed Jenks but said it was a use of natural poison not witchcraft
impact of Webster’s ‘The Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft’ (1677)
relatively well-received as his ideas were supported by members of the Royal Society
thorough use of evidence allotted him credibility, setting him apart from other authors
what did Balthasar Bekker publish?
‘The Enchanted World’
1691
who was Balthasar Bekker?
Dutch clergyman
wrote about philosophy and theology as well as witchcraft
what was ‘The Enchanted World’ (1691)?
has been described as the most influential work on witchcraft beliefs in the 17th century
doubtful of witchcraft cases, sating that every case involved deception
used reason to argue that unless the Devil has a body then he Cann’t possess and influence people on Earth
used the Bible as a primary source of evidence
significance of Bekker’s ‘The Enchanted World’ (1691)
he was put on trial for blasphemy and spreading atheism, but was acquitted
within the first 2 months of his work being published in Holland, 4,000 copies were sold and it was translated into other languages
historians have argued that Bekker had no arguments to add to those that had been put forward previously
to what extent did the witch craze come to an end?
1736: witchcraft legislation repealed, so publications were no longer needed to convince authorities to make change
1768: John Wesley wrote that to disbelieve in witches was to disbelieve the teachings of the Bible
- however, witches were largely referred to in fiction rather than fact as more people accepted the rationalism of science and reason
