Developments in the persecution of witches 1484-1700

Question 1

What are some reasons for the development ?

Answer 1

WC became viewed as heresy

Believed that witches had made a pact with the devil

Question 2

How was WC and heresy a reason for the development of WC ?

Answer 2

13th century onwards - Christianity became less tolerant due to the emergence of heretical groups like Cathars and lollards posing a threat against the church

Pope John XXII authorised an inquisition to prosecute WC as a form of heresy

Question 3

What was the pact with the devil and how did it increase development of WC ?

Answer 3

Witches believed to meet in large meetings and they would receive a reward for dealing with the devil sealed by a mark on the body

By 16th century they believed they did child sacrifice + sex with the devil

Led to the idea that Witches became a heretical group - Pope Innocent VIII issued a papal bull declaring WC a crime and allowed torture to gain evidence

Question 4

How did Witchcraft literature impact the development of Hunts ?

Answer 4

Heinrich kramer wrote Malleus mallificarum based on his investigations in south germany saying that witches were usually women

Some say the increase in prosecutions was due to plague and people wanted scapegoats

After 1560 prosecutions increased as did treatises of WC leading to increased evidence of W involved with devil worship confirmed by drawings like “Witch Riding backwards on goat “

Question 5

What were elites more afraid about and what were peasants more afraid about ?

Answer 5

Peasants concerned with Mallifcarum due to their effects on crops

Elite concerned with diabolism