3.1 The Origins of the Persecution (All in 1)

When and where did major witch-hunts take place in Scotland

Major witch-hunts in Scotland began in the late 16th century, especially in the south of the country where people had more contact with England. They were less common in the Highlands

What was the Scottish Witchcraft Act of 1563, and who influenced it

The Scottish Witchcraft Act of 1563 was a law passed under Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. It was heavily influenced by Calvinist clergymen who wanted to enforce strict religious morals

How was witchcraft treated differently from other crimes under the Scottish Witchcraft Act

Witchcraft was treated as a national crime in Scotland, with special commissions of judges able to investigate cases across the country—unlike most crimes, which were handled locally

Why and when did witchcraft accusations increase in Scotland

Witchcraft accusations in Scotland increased during times of crisis, such as poor harvests, political upheaval, or war. The most intense early period was in 1590–1591, with a peak in the mid-17th century before declining

Who was Gilly Duncan and what unusual ability was she believed to have

Gilly Duncan was a maidservant believed to have unnatural healing abilities after curing the sick without medical training

What caused suspicion among Gilly Duncan’s neighbours

Her sudden success in healing the sick led neighbours to believe her powers might be supernatural or satanic

Who was David Seaton and what was his relationship to Gilly Duncan

David Seaton was Duncan’s employer and the local deputy-bailiff; he interrogated her about her abilities, theft and absences

What methods of torture were used on Gilly Duncan

She was tortured with thumb-screws and cords around her head to force a confessions

What physical evidence was used to justify Duncan’s confession

A supposed witch’s mark was found on the front of her throat

What did Gilly Duncan confess under torture

She confessed that her healing powers came from the Devil

What happened after Duncan’s confession

She was imprisoned and began naming other alleged witches, including respectable women

Why was Duncan’s confession significant to the North Berwick witch trials

It triggered the wider persecution by giving credibility to accusations and encouraging further investigations

What was James VI’s attitude toward witchcraft before 1590

There is little evidence he had a strong belief in it; witchcraft was often seen as deception, not devil worship, and the 1563 Witchcraft Act was rarely enforced strictly

Why did Admiral Peter Munk blame witches for the storms during Anne of Denmark’s voyage

He may have done so to avoid accusations of negligence

Who was Niels Hemmingsen, and how did he influence James VI

A respected Danish theologian who believed in harmful magic (maleficium) but denied Devil pacts'; his views may have influenced James

What types of beliefs did James VI encounter among Danish courtiers

Many believed in group witch trials and the real threat of witchcraft

What happened during James and Anne’s return journey to Scotland, and what was blamed

the fleet faced more dangerous storms; with at least one ship lost; witches were again blamed

How did Danish witch-hunting influence Scottish witch trials

Danish witch-hunts, especially during the Protestant Reformation, reinforced Scottish fears and helped shape the approach taken during the North Berwick trials

What similarities existed between Scottish and Danish witch trials during the Reformation

Both were influenced by Protestantism, and trials in both countries linked witchcraft with hidden Catholicism and featured confessions under torture

Who was Anna Koldings and what was she accused of

A Danish woman who, under threat of torture, confessed to raising storms and sending demonds to sink Anne’s ship; she was executed along others

How did the Danish witch-hunts contribute to events in Scotland

They provided a model and justification for Scottish trials and reinforced James VI’s belief that witches could cause harm to monarchs and the state