 starter activity

1. starter activity What do you think is happening in this picture. Read the account of events and compare your version.  Was Mother Sutton a witch? Why were women often suspected of witchcraft in the Early Modern era?

2. Key words: persecuted ‘swimming’ familiar Why did people believe in witches?  Plenary  Learning objectives TBAT explain at least 5 reasons why the witch-hunting craze started in England in the sixteenth & seventeenth centuries … identify characteristics of witchcraft

3.  Your task • Read Wilkes, p.58-9 & Cumming, p.102-3 and note down 5 reasons why witchcraft increases in this period. •  Which ‘factor’ best explains the rise of the witch-hunting craze

4. Reasons for witch-hunting craze Religion – extreme religious views e.g. Puritanism saw witchcraft as an explanation for illness & the unknown Governments – news laws, e.g. 1542 Witchcraft Law & interest by leaders, e.g. James I wrote ‘Daemonologie’ Attitudes – tensions caused by Reformation & Civil War led to score settling in communities

5. Reasons for witch-hunting craze Poverty – economic hardship caused tensions leading to people being made scapegoats Education – lack of scientific understanding of natural world, e.g. natural disasters blamed on witchcraft Financial gain – witch finders paid for uncovering witchcraft; authors & printers sold pamphlets & books

6.  Your task Read about the real-life witch finder, Matthew Hopkins in Wilkes p.60 & Dawson p.80. Make a list of ways in which Hopkins detected if people were witches. Why did people confess?

7. Signs of witchcraft • ‘Familiars’ or imps – e.g. animals present when witchcraft occurred • Devil’s marks – e.g. scars, boils or spots • Failing the swimming test – guilty if floated • Third nipple or teat on victim’s body • Making images of victims, e.g. puppets or pictures • Refusal to attend church • Inability to recite prayers or sections from the Bible • Often elderly or ‘outsiders’ • Uses an alias, e.g. a nickname • Mumbling spells or curses

8. Watch this trailer for a 1968 British horror movie about Matthew Hopkins. What does it teach us about witch hunters and witchcraft? How useful really is a film like this for finding out about the witch-hunting craze in sixteenth and seventeenth century England?

9.  Group task Work in groups of 5. One of you is a local magistrate. The others are witch finders describing potential cases of witchcraft you have uncovered. Listen to the statements from each witch finder – based on real cases and decide which is the most convincing case of witchcraft. The winning witch finder should be given a fruition for their work.

10.  Homework • Matthew Hopkins is coming to Folkestone. Produce a poster advertising his services. Include the following: • Information on his background • Cases of witchcraft he has successfully uncovered • Methods of detection •  Write a radio advert for Witch FM

11. Key words: persecuted ‘swimming’ familiar Why did people believe in witches?  Plenary  Learning objectives TBAT explain at least 5 reasons why the witch-hunting craze started in England in the sixteenth & seventeenth centuries … identify characteristics of witchcraft