1. Continuing Superstition Village Origins, Influence of Clergy, Who Were The Witches, End of The Witch Hunts

2. Time Period Sixteenth Century Sixteenth Century Seventeenth Century Seventeenth Century All the way through the end of the Seventeenth century people believed in the power of demons. All the way through the end of the Seventeenth century people believed in the power of demons.

3. Fears Sin-going against the will of God Sin-going against the will of God Death Death The Devil-Manifested in different forms The Devil-Manifested in different forms Magic-Supernatural powers Magic-Supernatural powers Occult-Groups of people involved in demonic activity. Occult-Groups of people involved in demonic activity.

5. Witch Hunts and Panic Occurred in all Western Lands Occurred in all Western Lands 1,400-1,700 courts involved in the witch trials 1,400-1,700 courts involved in the witch trials 70,000-100,000 people were sentenced to death 70,000-100,000 people were sentenced to death People that were found guilty were charged with ‘Maleficium’, diabolical witchcraft, and were sentenced to death. People that were found guilty were charged with ‘Maleficium’, diabolical witchcraft, and were sentenced to death.

7. Witches were accused of… Inflicting harm on their neighbors Inflicting harm on their neighbors Attending mass meetings, Sabbats, to participate in sinful and demonic activities Attending mass meetings, Sabbats, to participate in sinful and demonic activities Participate in sexual orgies with the devil, who often appeared in animal form (he- goat) Participate in sexual orgies with the devil, who often appeared in animal form (he- goat) Cannibalism (small Christian children) Cannibalism (small Christian children) Ritual acts and practices (sexual in nature) Ritual acts and practices (sexual in nature)

9. Sabbat

10. Where did this come from? Disruptions were created by the religious divisions among the people. Disruptions were created by the religious divisions among the people. Peak years of religious wars coincide with the witch hunts (religious paranoia) Peak years of religious wars coincide with the witch hunts (religious paranoia) Reformation spurred religious panic Reformation spurred religious panic Compelled societies to protect themselves against the devil, demons, and black magic Compelled societies to protect themselves against the devil, demons, and black magic

11. Reasons continued… Political consolidation by secular governments and the papacy Political consolidation by secular governments and the papacy Both sides aggressively conformed in attempts of eliminating competition and gaining loyalty Both sides aggressively conformed in attempts of eliminating competition and gaining loyalty

12. Village Origins The issue of witches originated in villages The issue of witches originated in villages Idea of witches, ‘cunning folk’, came from a combination of popular and elite culture Idea of witches, ‘cunning folk’, came from a combination of popular and elite culture

13. Practical Purposes: Explanation of… Natural Disasters Natural Disasters Disabilities Disabilities Unexplained Phenomenon Unexplained Phenomenon Bad Luck & Coincidences Bad Luck & Coincidences Illness Illness

14. Magic Good or Bad? “The possession of magical powers, for good or ill, made one an important person within village society. Those who were most in need of security…” (Kagan, Ozment, & Turner 474) “The possession of magical powers, for good or ill, made one an important person within village society. Those who were most in need of security…” (Kagan, Ozment, & Turner 474) Elderly Elderly Impoverished Impoverished Widowed Widowed

15. Influence of Clergy Semipagan cultures clashed with Christian ideals Semipagan cultures clashed with Christian ideals Clergy practiced high magic and claimed to have power to cast out demons Clergy practiced high magic and claimed to have power to cast out demons Church had previously declared (Thirteenth Century) that their magic was the only ‘true’ magic Church had previously declared (Thirteenth Century) that their magic was the only ‘true’ magic Magic outside of the church was ‘of the devil’ Magic outside of the church was ‘of the devil’ Used for personal advancement (economic) Used for personal advancement (economic)

16. Who Were The Witches 80% of convicted witches were women (most of which were single and +40) 80% of convicted witches were women (most of which were single and +40) Misogyny fueled witch hunts, “Inspired by male hatred and sexual fear of strong women, and occuring at a time when women were breaking out from under male control, with-hunts were a conspiracy of males against females.” (474) Misogyny fueled witch hunts, “Inspired by male hatred and sexual fear of strong women, and occuring at a time when women were breaking out from under male control, with-hunts were a conspiracy of males against females.” (474)

17. Trial of Mary Warren

18. Single women

19. Witches Continued… Widows were targeted for several reasons… Widows were targeted for several reasons… 1. Lived alone 2. Were dependent on help from others 3. Considered a threat by some married women

20. Witches Continued… Women healers and herbalists Women healers and herbalists 1. Church viewed them as competition 2. Lose/lose situations (heal or not heal…dark magic or magic outside the church)

21. Witchcraft Tests: Some of these are the floating test, a test where the midwives would check the "witch’ for any black marks on the body, and the Lord’s Prayer Test. During the sink or swim test, the suspect would be curled up in a non-breathable position with rocks tied to their ankles. If the victim sunk, it would obviously die, and the midwives would know it was not a witch, yet if the victim floated, there would be a trial held. After that test, an examination would be run. The midwives of the village would strip the accused of their clothing and examine them for any unusual marks (Library Thinkquest 1) Some of these are the floating test, a test where the midwives would check the "witch’ for any black marks on the body, and the Lord’s Prayer Test. During the sink or swim test, the suspect would be curled up in a non-breathable position with rocks tied to their ankles. If the victim sunk, it would obviously die, and the midwives would know it was not a witch, yet if the victim floated, there would be a trial held. After that test, an examination would be run. The midwives of the village would strip the accused of their clothing and examine them for any unusual marks (Library Thinkquest 1)

22. Tests Continued… Grace Sherwood was tested for these marks, and the midwives found black marks in private areas of her body. The spots were pricked and did not bleed; therefore, it surely had to be a mark of the Devil. If all accusations were proved accurate at the trial, and the convicted witch denied the charges, then a last and final test would be run right there in front of the people. The Lord's Prayer. It would be said by the "witch," and if he/she stumbled or could not say it without shrieking, then there was only a matter of time before the hanging on Gallows Hill (Library Thinkquest 1). Grace Sherwood was tested for these marks, and the midwives found black marks in private areas of her body. The spots were pricked and did not bleed; therefore, it surely had to be a mark of the Devil. If all accusations were proved accurate at the trial, and the convicted witch denied the charges, then a last and final test would be run right there in front of the people. The Lord's Prayer. It would be said by the "witch," and if he/she stumbled or could not say it without shrieking, then there was only a matter of time before the hanging on Gallows Hill (Library Thinkquest 1).

23. Burning

24. Drowning

25. Hanging

26. Witches Continued… Midwives… Midwives… 1. Became unpopular due to deaths of mothers and newborns 2. Surviving family members would accuse midwives of being witches out of anger and revenge

27. End of Witch Hunts Increased awareness of science and scientific reasoning Increased awareness of science and scientific reasoning Mind and matter finally considered to be two independent realities Mind and matter finally considered to be two independent realities Advancements in medicine Advancements in medicine Out of hand (anyone could accuse anyone, even town officials) Out of hand (anyone could accuse anyone, even town officials) Trials ceased to benefit those conducting them Trials ceased to benefit those conducting them

28. Memorials: Salem Massachusetts

29. Resources Kagan, Ozment, & Turner. The Western Heritage, Volume B:1300-1815, Ninth Edition. New Jersey:Pearson Longman. 2007. Kagan, Ozment, & Turner. The Western Heritage, Volume B:1300-1815, Ninth Edition. New Jersey:Pearson Longman. 2007. Library Thinkquest. The Salem Witch Trials. Retrieved on May 6, 2008 from www.librarythinkquest.com Library Thinkquest. The Salem Witch Trials. Retrieved on May 6, 2008 from www.librarythinkquest.com