RLG100Y1 Lecture Notes - Torture Chamber, Inquisitorial System, Gangrene
Document Summary
Why do we want to know about legal procedures during the time of the witch trials. Legal procedures themselves have influenced the witch crazes. Legal procedures may have influenced the witch trials make them spread farther. 2 general reasons procedures in this period of time tended to spread ideas about learned elites into the general population about witches. Lower class charges malificium and sorcery. She was accused of divination, (misuse of) medical magic, and sorcery. Didn"t accuse her of making a pact with the devil. Some witnesses said they saw her having sex with the devil. Convicted of diabolical witchcraft and sentenced to death. Public event in which the charges would be read out loud to the public. Exposed to the learned ideas of diabolical witchcraft. The courts are linking these ideas to common sorcery. Second reason: the procedures themselves generate and multiply accusations. Links between accusations, confession, torture and sentencing. Learned ideas about witchcraft a collaborative activity.
