The North Berwick witches in Scotland, 1590-91 and the aftermath to 1597

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The North Berwick witches in Scotland, 1590-91 and the aftermath to 1597

Causes

  • Scotland's system of government was less complicated and there were less local officials
  • Monarchy was relatively weak
  • Only a simple majority was needed to find someone guilty, rather than a unanimous vote
  • Religion increased the intensity of the witch-hunt
  • Scotland was relatively poor when in comparison to England
  • The idea of a witch's get is commonly used
  • deeply held beliefs in fairies and folk magic
  • Storms on James/Anne's voyage
  • James meets with courtiers who believe in witches
  • Newes from Scotland
  • weather and natural disasters were common
  • Highly patriarchal society
  • Judicial system was flawed

Effects

  • Iindividuals could pursue witch-hunts without interference
  • Torture could be used as local judges often allowed it, gaining confessions
  • less convincing was needed to pronounce someone guilty of witchcraft
  • Protestant reformation heightened anti-catholic feeling
  • the appeal of the devil to offer riches was understood
  • increased the possibility that whole families could be implicated
  • made accusations of wrongdoing/witchcraft plausible
  • Dangerous to a point only witchcraft could be to blame
  • Heightened his own superstitions and beliefs
  • Acted as a guide to witch-hunts
  • Easier to blame this on witches as it caused crop failure/disease
  • men were quicker to accuse women
  • meant more miscarriages of justice could take place

Overall summary

It appears the social and political context of Scotland is the over ruling factor in why a witch hunt was likely, even in comparison to the influence of King James because it can be evidence for why suspicions and accusations began, whereas James only became involved when it personally affected him. After his involvement, he can be seen as the driving factor for why the witch-hunt became widespread 

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