HIS243H1 Lecture : The Witch Hunts of Early Modern Europe
Document Summary
Matthew hopkins, 17th century englishman, became deeply concerned in regards to the presence of witches in his community. Started to search for witches to rid his community of them. 36 women tried for witchcraft, half of them executed. Hopkins & associate began crusade that saw nearly 300 women in england executed for witchcraft. Took up 60% of all those executed in years of witchcraft prosecution. More ppl prosecuted for witchcraft than any other witch finder. Who where why and how of witch hunts: Hunting for witches: small, medium, and large hunts. Why accuse your neighbour: failed crops, death of an infant or child, disease often one without any known cause, suspicious behaviour. Women seen as more susceptible to devil"s influence. Women who are old, widowed or single / poor more susceptible to these attacks. Authorities would have been familiar with demonological discourses. Based on books, knew what they were looking for, what witches were supposed to be like.
