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Significance of the outcomes of the trials - Coggle Diagram
Significance of the outcomes of the trials
Judges Bromley and Altham
Had similar views of witch-hunting to the king - carried a copy of Daemonologie during the trial
Bromley came from a similar background - educated in Calvinist tradition
Was well-respected and had a reputation as an Ortodox
Received legal training without charg as his dad was a high-profile lawyer
Altham was from a gentry family - educated at Cambridge and knighted in 1605 by James
Trust was placed in him by the King when he gave him the role of mediator in the House of Lords over proposals for a union between England and Scotland
Was knighted in 1610
11 men and women were arrested by Noewell
Him and Altham worked as assize judges in London - Bromley was hoping to be promoted to a circuit closer to London
Chattox claimed Demdike confessed to murders - examined by Covell, Sandes and Anderton
Both concerned with gaining the king's favour - positive convictions may have been the way
Chattox changed her story in examination and placed blame on Demdike - who could not challenge this
Old Demdike before 19th May
Travelling judges would visit 3-4 times per year - arrived 16th August
Conduct of the trials
Altham was accused of sending an innocent woman to the gallows of witchcraft at the York assize on the evidence of Jennet Device
2 judges divided the cases - Bromley announced all JPs involved and witnesses should be in attendance
Likely that many did know the exact charges against them until they were read out un court
Defendants were not allowed to prepare a defence against them until they were read out in court
Nowell acted as a prosecutor
All but 1 witch pleaded not guilty
Main trial was held in August 1612
Old Chattox
Broke down and acknowledged the evidence presented was true - asked for God's forgiveness
Would not be sentenced immediately as time was limited and the judge was in a rush to hear from Elizabeth Device
Pleaded not guilty for the murder of Robert Nutter
She was not charged for the murders of John Device, Anne Nutter and Hugh Moore
She was formally charged with murder of Robert Nutter
Elizabeth Device
Charged with the murders of John and James Barley and Henry Mitton
Jennett was the star witness and she cursed to her and made her cry
She was taken from the courtroom kicking and screaming before the trial could begin
Jennet was able to give her evidence once Elizabeth was led away - evidence was well rehearsed and confident
Was presented by Potts as an ugly and confrontational woman
Jennett said her mum was a witch for 3-4 years and she had a familiar named Ball
Part of James Device's testimony was read which showed Elizabeth was significant in organising the meeting at Malkin Tower
Elizabeth denied her previous confession and spoke against her children when she was back in the court
James Device
Pleaded not guilty but his sister said she was aware he killed them both
She said his familiar, Dandie, appeared at Malkin Tower as a dog
Charged with murders of John Hargreaves and Blaze Hargreaves
Was found guilty along with Elizabeth and Old Chattox
James signalled his own execution when he made his confession and acknowledged it was true in court when it was read out
Anne Townley's husband gave evidence - Potts omits this
Had to be held up in court - charged with the murders of Anne Towneley and John Duckworth
Showing signs of severe illness or weakness at trial - Potts
Anne Redferne
Same evidence used at Chattox's trial was presented in Anne's
Her mum was brought back to court and said she made the clay figures and begged to not spare Anne
Was presented with a further charged of murdering Robert's dad (Christopher)
Anne was executed
She did not confess to witchcraft
She was found not guilty - evidence against her was weak
Charged for her role in the death of Robert Nutter
Alice Nutter
Alice refused to confess and was found guilty
Bromley arranged an identity parade where Jennett identified Alice and even identified where she sat at the sabbat
Charged with murder of Henry Mitton - evidence from James, Elizabeth and Jennet Device agreed she was at the Malkin meeting
Katherine Hewitt
James Device statement was read out which included a reference to Hewitt
Was found guilty
Charged with the murder of a child at Colne
Accused of being at the meeting at Malkin Tower
John and Jane Bulcock
Identity parade was used - Jennett identified them
Questionable evidence of James was used
Mum and son accused of bewitching Jennet Deane - causing her to go mad
Alizon Device
She was found guilty along with the Bulcocks
She said if Demdike was alive she would be able to help
Asked for his forgiveness and said she was unable to restore him to health
Repeated her confession including her initiation into witchcraft and bewitching John Law
Impact of Potts account
Potts was selective with the derails he includes
In the Wonderful Discoverie of Witches he provides an account which justified the trials and could be read as a true version and it protected the reputation of Potts and the judges
Includes written witness statements and edited the speeches of the judges to improve them
Potts had taken a number of positions in different courts
His work was an overview of what happened
Bromley checked and corrected the manuscript before it was published in 1613 - both judges had close interest in the production and may have even written sections
Judges ordered him to write an account that could be made public and was completed in November 1612
This means his account is first-hand
Potts had a unique insight into the trial as he was the clerk of the court