England’s witch trials are a dark chapter in the country’s history, spanning several centuries and claiming thousands of lives. While less famous than their Salem counterparts, these trials were no less brutal or unjust. They reflect a time of superstition, fear, and social upheaval that gripped England from the 15th to the 18th centuries. From bizarre methods of identifying witches to the gruesome punishments inflicted on the accused, the English witch trials reveal much about the fears and beliefs of the time. Here are 15 horrifying facts that shed light on this terrifying period in English history.
1. The Witchcraft Act of 1542
King Henry VIII passed England’s first Witchcraft Act in 1542, making witchcraft a crime punishable by death. This law marked the beginning of systematic witch hunts in England. It set the stage for centuries of persecution and fear that would grip the nation.
2. The Witch-Finder General
Matthew Hopkins, self-proclaimed “Witch-Finder General,” was responsible for the deaths of over 300 alleged witches between 1644 and 1646. He traveled across eastern England, charging local governments for his services in identifying and prosecuting witches. Hopkins’ methods were cruel and often based on torture and false confessions.
3. The Swimming Test
One popular method for identifying witches was the “swimming test.” The accused would be bound and thrown into water. If they floated, they were considered a witch; if they sank, they were innocent. This test often resulted in drowning, regardless of the outcome.
4. Familiar Spirits
English witch hunters believed that witches kept “familiar spirits” – demonic entities often in the form of animals. Any unexplained mark on a person’s body could be seen as a “witch’s teat” used to feed these spirits. This belief led to invasive and humiliating body searches of the accused.
5. The Pendle Witch Trials
The Pendle witch trials of 1612 were among the most famous in English history. Twelve people were accused of witchcraft, and ten were executed. The trials were unusual because they were well-documented, providing a chilling glimpse into the witch hunt process.
6. Torture Methods
While torture was technically illegal in England, it was often used to extract confessions from accused witches. Methods included sleep deprivation, forced standing, and the use of “witch prickers” – needles used to find insensitive spots on the skin, thought to be a sign of witchcraft.
7. The Last Execution
The last person legally executed for witchcraft in the British Isles was Janet Horne in 1727. According to historians, this lady was showing signs of senility and was arrested alongside her daughter who had deformities of the hands and feet. Both were found guilty of witchcraft, but the daughter managed to escape. Her mother was not so lucky. This poor woman was stripped, smeared with tar, paraded through the town, then burned alive in a truly brutal and horrific execution.
8. Children Forced to Give Evidence
Children were not exempt from witch accusations. In 1616, nine-year-old Jennet Device testified against her own family members, leading to their executions. Her testimony was considered crucial evidence, despite her young age and the questionable circumstances of her statements.
9. The Witches’ Sabbath
Accusers often claimed that witches attended a “Witches’ Sabbath,” a nighttime gathering where they worshipped the Devil. These fantastical accounts often included descriptions of flying, shape-shifting, and cannibalism. Such stories fueled the hysteria and led to more accusations.
10. The Role of Politics
Witch trials were often influenced by political factors. During the English Civil War (1642-1651), accusations of witchcraft increased dramatically. The chaos and uncertainty of the time created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, making people more likely to believe in and accuse others of witchcraft.
11. The Witch’s Mark
Witch hunters believed that witches had a special mark on their body, given by the Devil. This “witch’s mark” was said to be insensitive to pain. Searchers would prick the skin of the accused with needles, looking for spots that didn’t bleed or cause pain, often leading to severe abuse.
12. Male Witches
While most accused witches were women, men were not immune to accusations. About 20% of those executed for witchcraft in England were men. Male witches were often accused of using magic for personal gain or causing harm to others, just like their female counterparts.
13. The Influence of James I
King James I, who ruled England from 1603 to 1625, was obsessed with witchcraft. He wrote a book called “Daemonologie,” which encouraged witch hunting. His influence led to an increase in witch trials during his reign and contributed to the widespread belief in witchcraft among the educated classes.
14. The Witch Bottle
English people used “witch bottles” as a form of counter-magic against witchcraft. These were containers filled with items like pins, nails, hair, and urine, believed to trap or harm witches who had cursed the bottle’s owner. Archaeologists have found many such bottles buried near old houses, showing how widespread this practice was.
15. The Berwick Witch Trials
The Berwick witch trials of 1590 were unique because King James VI of Scotland (later James I of England) personally supervised them. These trials involved over 70 accused witches and included claims of witches raising storms to sink the king’s ships. The king’s involvement in these trials deeply influenced his views on witchcraft, fuelling his obsession, and leading to his book “Daemonologie” and shaping future witch hunts in both Scotland and England.
Katy Willis is a writer, master herbalist, master gardener, and certified canine nutritionist who has been writing since 2002. She’s finds joy in learning new and interesting things, and finds history, science, and nature endlessly fascinating.
