Boy of Burton
1597
How Boy of Burton changed witchcraft belief
Darrell’s reputation lent the case significance - a well-known exorcist was proved to have been committing fraudulent practices. It led to a scepticism of exorcism.
A canon was drawn up in 1604 forbidding the practice of exorcism without a licence
- The exposure of Darling’s lie was also evidence of the unreliability of witness testimonies, especially questions around using children as witnesses/ reliability of evidence.
- “A Discovery of the Fraudulent Practices of John Darrel (1599)” made knowledge of the case more widespread and led to the pamphlet war
How Boy of Burton didn’t change witchcraft belief
- The Boy of Burton case did not lead to an overall disbelief in witchcraft, the case was viewed more as a one-off discovery of fraudulence
→ 1604 Act, which actually showed an increase in the legal severity of witchcraft. - The key debate over the case was more about the validity of exorcism, rather than of witchcraft - as can be seen in the pamphlet war
What happened at Boy of Burton
Alice Goodridge is accused of causing hallucinations by Thomas Darling- a doctor confirms this. John Darrell is brought into exorcise Darling (remove the demon). During trial, Darling confesses the case is fraudulent- Darling and Darrell are imprisoned for a year.
Who was involved in Boy of Burton?
- Alice Goodridge
- Thomas Darling
- John Darell
Pendle Swindle
1634
How did Pendle change witchcraft belief
- The involvement of the Privy Council and King Charles shows the case gained relevance amongst the powerful elites → may have influenced the scepticism of the King and magistrates
- The evidence-based approach, through further questioning and the involvement of surgeons, does reveal a more careful, sceptical approach to witchcraft trials was developing.
- the trial proved that witchcraft accusations can be motivated by reasons that have nothing to do with the supernatural, and accusers should be viewed sceptically → John Webster met Robinson, and went on to write an influential sceptical publication (1677) as a result of the meeting
How didn’t Pendle change witchcraft belief?
- The importance and influence of witch hunters still would rise before it declined
→ Edmund Robinson went on to be a professional witch hunter, proof that the case didn’t cause people to doubt witches existed
→11 years later, the role and significance of Matthew Hopkins in the East Anglia hunt - The Pendle Swindle case provoked little change; there was no justice for the accused women, with many of them still held in custody three years after the trial.
- There were no significant publications of this case at the time so its impact on the opinions of those outside of the trial was very limited.
What happened at Pendle?
Edmund Robinson accuses Jennett Device of participating in a Sabbatt, a hunt is organised and 17 more are accused. The magistrate is sceptical and refers the case to London- the evidence is questioned (use of sleep deprivation) and Robinson admits to fraud.
Who was involved in Pendle?
- Edmund Robinson
- Jennett Device
Demon Drummer
1662
How did Demon Drummer change witchcraft beleif?
- The case was continually revisited throughout the 17th century and used as an argument for scepticism.
→ Webster and Bekker publish writings influenced by the case - The Royal Society elevated the case as an example of scepticism
- The case provoked debate on the reality of supernatural forces - key members of the Intelligentsia were involved e.g. Glanville, Webster, and VP of Royal Society.
→ A logical, empirical approach had been taken- built on Francis Bacon’s theory of empiricism that had been released in 1605/1620, the Demon Drummer case was used as an example of this
How didn’t Demon Drummer change witchcraft belief?
The overall consensus at the time was that supernatural forces were to blame - little disbelief in witchcraft.
→ Still 74 years until the Witchcraft Act is repealed
What happened at Demon Drummer?
Drury used a drum to raise money for the poor, he was accused for using it to cast spells over houses, an investigation supports the accusation. Drury is deported for theft, and the disturbances stop immediately. Manages to escape when the ship he was on encounters storms.
Who was involved in Demon Drummer?
- William Drury
- John Mompesson
Jane Wenham
1712
How did Jane Wenham change witchcraft belief?
- 1.The presiding judge ridiculed most of the evidence from neighbours → creating a publicised clash between the law and popular belief, and the opinions of the educated class and the popular masses.
- Despite a guilty verdict the judge released her. It showed the willingness of the law to embrace reason in the face of mob hysteria
- The case led to a celebrated sceptical book by Francis Hutchinson in 1718: An Historical Essay Concerning Witchcraft
- It was the last guilty verdict on a charge of witchcraft in England
How didn’t Jane Wenham change witchcraft belief?
- Witchcraft prosecutions had already been in decline since 1660 → the case should not be seen as a turning point but as part of a rapidly changing attitude
- The fact that the jury still condemned Wenham shows that scepticism had not yet been adopted by small, rural communities like Wenham’s
- Several writers after 1712 still wrote showing support for a belief in witchcraft, e.g. John Wesley.
What happened at Jane Wenham?
Jane Wenham was a wise woman, with a reputation for being a witch. She was falsely accused of bewitching someone, and when her compensation wasn’t enough she cast a curse, 16 people support different accusations. The judge at trial is sceptical about the case, and recommends she is found innocent.
Who was involved at Jane Wenham?
- Jane Wenham
- John Powell (JoP)
