History - 'a delusion of satan': A crash course in the history of witchcraft and the salem witch trials.

Case study focus:

• The origins, causes and nature of which hunts/trials in salem massachusetts in the 1960’s

Glossary terms

• poppet = A toy, doll (voodoo doll) -It was used to curse

• puritan = Christian sect (cult) -Super conservative, superstitious

• supernatural = from the spiritual realm

• familiar = a spirit that is send to do ill, often an animal like a toad or black cet

• Indian wars = frontier conflicts between the indigenous inhabitants to English settles -very violent and bloody.

What is a witch?

• black cape

• old woman

• fairytale witch (Elphaba)

• hags

• big nose

• loud cackle

• pointy hats

• ugly teeth

In the mind of a 17th century European, wiches are:

• Either possessed by evil spirits/satan or have made a pact with satan to support him.

• often on the fringe of society. EG poor, atheists, poor mannered

• sometimes welcomed as a healer/medicine woman