 starter activity What do you think is happening in this picture. Read the account of events and compare your version.  Was Mother Sutton a witch? Why were women often suspected of witchcraft in the Early Modern era?

Why did people believe in witches? TBAT explain at least 5 reasons why the witch-hunting craze started in England in the sixteenth & seventeenth centuries … identify characteristics of witchcraft  Learning objectives  Key words: persecuted ‘swimming’ familiar Plenary

 Your task Read Wilkes, p.58-9 & Cumming, p and note down 5 reasons why witchcraft increases in this period. Read Wilkes, p.58-9 & Cumming, p and note down 5 reasons why witchcraft increases in this period.  Which ‘factor’ best explains the rise of the witch-hunting craze  Which ‘factor’ best explains the rise of the witch-hunting craze

Reasons for witch-hunting craze Religion – extreme religious views e.g. Puritanism saw witchcraft as an explanation for illness & the unknown Religion – extreme religious views e.g. Puritanism saw witchcraft as an explanation for illness & the unknown Governments – news laws, e.g Witchcraft Law & interest by leaders, e.g. James I wrote ‘Daemonologie’ Governments – news laws, e.g Witchcraft Law & interest by leaders, e.g. James I wrote ‘Daemonologie’ Attitudes – tensions caused by Reformation & Civil War led to score settling in communities Attitudes – tensions caused by Reformation & Civil War led to score settling in communities

Reasons for witch-hunting craze Poverty – economic hardship caused tensions leading to people being made scapegoats Poverty – economic hardship caused tensions leading to people being made scapegoats Education – lack of scientific understanding of natural world, e.g. natural disasters blamed on witchcraft Education – lack of scientific understanding of natural world, e.g. natural disasters blamed on witchcraft Financial gain – witch finders paid for uncovering witchcraft; authors & printers sold pamphlets & books Financial gain – witch finders paid for uncovering witchcraft; authors & printers sold pamphlets & books

 Your task Read about the real-life witch finder, Matthew Hopkins in Wilkes p.60 & Dawson p.80. Make a list of ways in which Hopkins detected if people were witches. Read about the real-life witch finder, Matthew Hopkins in Wilkes p.60 & Dawson p.80. Make a list of ways in which Hopkins detected if people were witches.  Why did people confess?  Why did people confess?

Signs of witchcraft ‘Familiars’ or imps – e.g. animals present when witchcraft occurred ‘Familiars’ or imps – e.g. animals present when witchcraft occurred Devil’s marks – e.g. scars, boils or spots Devil’s marks – e.g. scars, boils or spots Failing the swimming test – guilty if floated Failing the swimming test – guilty if floated Third nipple or teat on victim’s body Third nipple or teat on victim’s body Making images of victims, e.g. puppets or pictures Making images of victims, e.g. puppets or pictures Refusal to attend church Refusal to attend church Inability to recite prayers or sections from the Bible Inability to recite prayers or sections from the Bible Often elderly or ‘outsiders’ Often elderly or ‘outsiders’ Uses an alias, e.g. a nickname Uses an alias, e.g. a nickname Mumbling spells or curses Mumbling spells or curses

Watch this trailer for a 1968 British horror movie about Matthew Hopkins. What does it teach us about witch hunters and witchcraft?  How useful really is a film like this for finding out about the witch-hunting craze in sixteenth and seventeenth century England?

 Group task Work in groups of 5. One of you is a local magistrate. The others are witch finders describing potential cases of witchcraft you have uncovered. Listen to the statements from each witch finder – based on real cases and decide which is the most convincing case of witchcraft. The winning witch finder should be given a fruition for their work. Work in groups of 5. One of you is a local magistrate. The others are witch finders describing potential cases of witchcraft you have uncovered. Listen to the statements from each witch finder – based on real cases and decide which is the most convincing case of witchcraft. The winning witch finder should be given a fruition for their work.

 Homework Matthew Hopkins is coming to Folkestone. Produce a poster advertising his services. Include the following: Matthew Hopkins is coming to Folkestone. Produce a poster advertising his services. Include the following: Information on his background Information on his background Cases of witchcraft he has successfully uncovered Cases of witchcraft he has successfully uncovered Methods of detection Methods of detection  Write a radio advert for Witch FM  Write a radio advert for Witch FM

Why did people believe in witches? TBAT explain at least 5 reasons why the witch-hunting craze started in England in the sixteenth & seventeenth centuries … identify characteristics of witchcraft  Learning objectives  Key words: persecuted ‘swimming’ familiar Plenary