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