English Witch Trials
Rulers:
Elizabeth I Tudor (reign 1558-1603)
James I Stuart (reign 1603-25)
I. Contrast w/ continental witch trials
"old crime"--maleficium as specific harm (not "new crime" of diabolism)
results in small scale, individual trials
absence of inquisitorial procedure and no torture
accusatory procedure in Anglo Saxon common law
crime of withcraft defined as criminal offense, not heresy (as on continent)
result: penalty is hanging, not burning
II. English Witchcraft Legislation
(see link to texts from Barbara Rosen Keith Thomas)
Three statutes :
1542: maleficium & sorcery defined as felonies
(felony = capital crimes)
1563: death by maleficium = felony
lesser maleficial injuries = time in pillory or stocks
1604: prohibits "feeding or entertaining evil spirits"
types of evidence used in absence of torture
i. search for witches' mark ("pricking"
a witch)
ii. familiars: animals fed by witches' teat (tit)
III. Chronology
1559-1736 (executions approx. = 500)
1603-1625, peak under James I - Scottish influence
1645-1647, campaign of
Matthew Hopkins: "Witchfinder General"
active during English Civil War (1640-1660)
responsible for approximately 200 executions
1685--Last execution for witchcraft in England
IV. Statistics for English Witch Trials
Assize Circuits: royal judges travel around country in "circuit courts"
(five circuits for England)
1563-1736 Home Assize Circuit: closest to London
513 persons accused of w/c
200+ " convicted on some charges
109 " hanged
Extrapolating to 5 Assize Circuts:
estimates of 500+ executions out of
1,000 convictions
acquittal rate (including non-death penalty convictions)
about 60% (quite high compared to continent)
Chronology: trials begin during Elizabeth's reign
peak in early 17th C under James I (1603-1620)
1604 new W/C statute more executions
1640-1660 English Civil War as context for
1645-1647 campaign of "Witchfinder General"
Matthew Hopkins: about 200 executions