Sceptical publication

Question 1

When was Samuel Harsnett ‘A discovery of the Fraudulent Practises of John Darrel?

Answer 1

1599

Question 2

Who wrote ‘A discovery of the Fraudulent Practises of John Darrel?

Answer 2

Samuel Harsnett

Question 3

What was The Pamphlet War?

Answer 3

• Harsnett talked about John Darrell’s fraudulent case
• Darrel responded with a book about Harsnett
• John Deacon and John Walker challenged Darrell
• Darrell responded with book about John Darrell and John Deacon

Question 4

What book did Darrell write in response to Harsnett?

Answer 4

‘A detection of the sinful, shaming, lying and ridiculous discourse of Samuel Harsnett’

Question 5

Who were John Deacon and John Walker?

Answer 5

• Two ministers with puritan sympathies who questioned whether exorcism was even possible
• Challenged Darrell

Question 6

What book did John Deacon and John Walker write?

Answer 6

‘Dialogical discourses of spirits and devils’ (1601)

Question 7

What happened to John Darrell after being accused?

Answer 7

Many still supported him, Joseph Hall (Bishop of Exeter) wrote that Darrell did perform exorcisms

Question 8

What effect did factional fighting in within Christianity have on the Darrell Harsnett conflict?

Answer 8

• Harsnett was a church of England conformist and shows anti-Catholic views, exorcism is an act
• Darrell is a Puritan, circles prayers and fasting were accepted forms of exorcism

Question 9

What impact did Samuel Harsnett book have for reducing witchcraft?

Answer 9

• Led to discussion and debate (via pamphlet war)

- Idea that possessions can be faked

Question 10

What idea was the pamphlet war focused on?

Answer 10

Centred on exorcism, didn’t seem to challenge witchcraft