The end of witch-hunting in England Flashcards
Why could you argue that there was a strong streak of caution in English attitudes to witch-craft?
Low conviction rates in English witch-trials suggest accusations may come from malice or superstition.
When did scepticism of witchcraft in England first become relevant?
Restoration of Charles II in 1660, ruling elite, as well as leaders of Anglican church sceptical of witchcraft beliefs.
Witch-hunting seemed symptomatic of Civil War and Interregnum (1649-1660)- Puritan denomination, religious fanatics like Hopkins come to providence.
Witchcraft trials declined after 1660.
Who was Ady?
Thomas Ady- physician, author of three sceptical books on witch-hunting.
‘A Candle in the Dark’, used Bible to attack witchcraft.
1656.
Who wrote ‘The displaying of supposed witchcraft’?
1677, John Webster.
Chaplain to Parliamentary forces in the Civil War, became a medical practitioner.
‘Trust the scriptures’.
Who ridiculed ‘pitiful lying witchmongers’.
Many gaps in human knowledge, claimed it was better to wait for natural explanation.
Webster’s book was in a heated debate with Joseph Glanvill.
When did the legal procedures of witchcraft begin to get sceptical?
By 1660s.
Yet, some people still found guilty.
Three women, for example, executed for witchcraft in Exeter, 1682.
Last person in England sentenced to death in England, Alice Molland, Exeter 1685.
Refusal of judges:
Late seventeenth century, a number of judges refused to allow witchcraft trials to be brought into their courts.
Sir John Holt crucial role, 1690s, dismissed at least eleven witch trials and had a plaintiff examined for deceit.
Opinions as chief justice persuaded lower courts to discontinue charging witches.
Eighteenth century, those who confessed to witchcraft usually discharged as lunatics.
Refusal of judges in Scotland:
Scotland, number of trials began to decline around the same time.
But courts remained more willing to accept evidence against witches.
Serious outbreak of accusations 1697, execution of seven witches.
Last witch burned, 1727.
What act repealed the 1563 and 1604 statutes against witchcraft and scottish statute 1563?
1736 Witchcraft Act
Made it an offence to pretend to exercise or use any kind of witchcraft.
Impossible to persecute witches in English and Scottish court, cunning folk could still be prosecuted as frauds, not agents of the Devil.
Did local action continue during the decline of witch hunting?
1737, a woman ‘swum’ in River Ouse at Oakley in Bedfordshire.
1751, Ruth Osborne swum in pond near Hertfordshire, died from repeated immersions. A large crowd present , threatening mayor who tried to halt it.
Government stepped in and executed the man who lead the affair.
Yet cases of swim tests continued to be reported in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
What highlights that some of the educated elite still showed a belief in witchcraft?
- Famous scientist Robert Boyle firmly believed in demons and witches.
- Isaac Newton maintained an active interest in alchemy.
- Methodist John Wesley said that giving up witchcraft was ‘giving up the Bible’. 1768
What was the divide between witchcraft beliefs between the elites and lower classes?
Ordinary folk retained witchcraft beliefs, yet it was no longer fashionable amongst the elites.
Sharpe declines it as a ‘cultural distancing’.
Why did witchcraft beliefs continue?
- No words from high court could make people less scared of witches. Illness of family members or of a pig/cow could make people believe in witchcraft.
- Cunning folk often consulted instead of the law when the courts didn’t take on the cases. Would provide counter-spells.
What were the cunning folk’s counter spells?
Counter-spell, witch-bottle.
Bottle filled with bewitched persons urine, sharp objects with thorns and pins.
Bottle= witches bladder.
Sharp objects= meant to cause them excruciating pain so that they would remove the pain.
Scratch them in order to draw blood, yet constituted as physical assault, some who conducted it found in court for their action.
