European Witchcraft
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58 Terms
What are the three meanings of witchcraft?
Religious (deviating from church doctrine), political (using magic for power), and social (malefactors harming community life).
Which definition of witchcraft was most feared?
The social definition—harm to everyday village life.
Why was this definition most feared?
Because it involved people within the local community, increasing paranoia.
What was the Protestant Reformation’s role in witch hunts?
It framed witchcraft as a pact with Satan and was used to attack Catholics.
How did state growth influence witch hunts?
Laws developed that criminalised witchcraft.
What social-economic factors contributed to witch hunts?
Population growth, poverty, and resource scarcity created tension.
How did print culture contribute to witch hunts?
Pamphlets and books spread fear and ideas about witches.
What were European witch hunts?
Mass trials, torture, and executions of suspected witches.
How many people were executed?
About 40,000–50,000 people.
What percentage of victims were women?
About 75–80%.
Were all accused witches women?
No, 20–25% were men.
What is meant by “genderized mass murder”?
The targeting of women due to misogynistic beliefs.
Where were witch hunts most intense?
Central Europe, especially the Holy Roman Empire (Germany).
Which country had very few executions?
Ireland.
Who conducted most witch trials?
Secular courts rather than church courts.
Was torture always used?
No, but it was common in areas with intense witch hunts.
What is the Malleus Maleficarum?
A 1485–86 handbook on identifying and prosecuting witches.
Who wrote the Malleus Maleficarum?
Heinrich Kramer.
Why was the Malleus Maleficarum influential?
It was widely printed and promoted misogynistic ideas.
What did it claim about women?
That women were more prone to evil.
How were God and the Devil viewed?
As constantly influencing events in the world.
Where did ideas about witches originate?
Partly from the Bible and largely from pagan folklore.
How many witch trials occurred between 1450–1750?
Around 100,000 trials.
What percentage of trials ended in execution?
About 48%.
What law made witchcraft a crime in England?
The Witchcraft Act (1542, later 1563 and 1604).
What were signs of guilt for witches?
Devil’s marks, familiars, and failure to bleed when pricked.
What torture methods were used?
Thumb screws, sleep deprivation, starvation, and isolation.
What were the North Berwick witch trials?
A major Scottish witch hunt involving 70–200 accused.
What triggered the North Berwick trials?
Storms preventing the queen’s travel, blamed on witches.
Who were key figures in North Berwick?
Agnes Sampson and Gellie Duncan.
What did confessions claim?
Witches caused storms and plotted against the king.
What impact did these trials have?
They increased witch hunts and attracted royal attention.
Who wrote Daemonologie?
King James VI of Scotland (James I of England).
What was Daemonologie about?
It argued for the existence of witches and supported their punishment.
How did Daemonologie differ from Malleus Maleficarum?
It used more rational argument rather than pure fear.
What were the Pendle Witch Trials?
A 1612 English witch trial involving local families and healers.
What triggered the Pendle trials?
A curse followed by a man collapsing (likely a stroke).
Who were the main families involved? (Pendle)
The Device and Chattox families.
Who was Jennet Device?
A 9-year-old key witness.
What was the outcome of the Pendle trials?
9 people were found guilty and executed.
Who was Matthew Hopkins?
The “Witchfinder General” in East Anglia.
What methods did Hopkins use?
Sleep deprivation, pricking, and swimming tests.
How many people did Hopkins accuse?
Around 300, with about 100 executions.
How did Hopkins die?
Allegedly by being subjected to his own swimming test.
Why did witch hunts decline?
Legal changes, new ideas, and social stability.
What role did the Enlightenment play?
It promoted scientific thinking and scepticism.
Who argued witchcraft confessions were mental illness?
Johann Weyer.
How did religion change?
Greater focus on God’s power reduced belief in witchcraft.
How did the law change?
Torture declined and stricter legal standards developed.
What happened to witchcraft laws?
They were repealed or fell into disuse (e.g. 1736 in England).
What role did scapegoating play?
Witches were blamed for social and economic problems.
Why did scapegoating decline?
Improved economic and social stability reduced fear.
What was the Rothenburg case?
A cautious response to accusations to avoid mass hysteria.
Why were witch hunts regional?
They depended on local leadership and beliefs.
When was the last English witch trial?
1717.
When was the last execution in Scotland?
1727 (Janet Horne).
When did witchcraft laws end in England?
1736.
What broader impact did witch hunts have?
They revealed dangers of fear, misinformation, and weak legal systems.