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North Berwick Witch Craze - Coggle Diagram
North Berwick Witch Craze
Political causes
Scotland had a less complex government. Local officials could punish neighbors who were suspected of being witches.
Judges allowed torture to be used.
Weaker monarchy
The jury system only need small majority to be found guilty.
James VI vs Earl Bothwell
Bothwell was originally trusted by james but lost it as he became involved in plots and criminal cases.
Foreign causes
Denmark changed James 1 opinions on witches.
When he married anne by proxy they were driven back by storms 3 times and admiral munk said it was the worst storms he had ever seen.He blamed the delays on witches so he didn't get the blame.
James ordered his cousin Francis Stewart, earl of bothwell, to go and get Anne from denmark but made up large costs so he could get out of it making james go himself.
In denmark he met scientists and philosophers who held strong beliefs about group witch trials including Niels Hemmingssen.
When James and Anne sailed back one ship was lost and was blamed upon witches.
Agnes samson claimed that witches were throwing cats into the sea to create a storm and kill the king.He then personally got involved in her torture. Agnes made other confessions that led to The Earl of bothwell being accused.
After he left in Denmark, Anna Kolding the wife of the Major of copenhagen is accused of being a witch and accuses 12 other important women of being a witch.
Christopher Valkendoff
Accused of building the ships to go and collect Anne incorrectly.
As the ships were unable to complete to journey so he blames witches on the ships inability to travel.
Leads to more suspicion that witches were against the journey
General beliefs
Protestant reformation on stricter calvinists lines.
Don't like catholics and traditional rituals.
Deep beliefs in fairies and folk magic
Split in the nobility
Cliques that liked James and those that preferred the Bothwells
The 4th Earl of Bothwell was Mary 1 last husband.Maybe abused James mother before she ran away to England.Also murdered James Dad.Then raised James.
The 5th Earl of Bothwell is James older step brother and is more manly and accomplished than James.
Both sides would accuse each other of witchcraft however james side had the upper hand.
Agnes Samson accuses Bothwell in her confessions so caused James to get involved.
Temptation of the devil
Misogyny
Woman were considered second class citizens.
History of witch hunting
Earlier trails had found people not guilty
Not many had happened previously
Kirks disinterest in witches
Kirk is the scottish church
Economic causes
Scotland was relatively poorer than england.They thought people would be more tempted by the devil therefore.
Jealously about those who were richer would cause accusations and people wanted their money
Confessions
The confession of Gilly Duncan
Gilly Duncan's confession started off the north berwick with craze.
Thought she had unnatural healing abilities and visited the sick and disabled in her neighbourhood to help them.
She worked as a maidservant for David Seaton who was the local deputy-bailiff.
She had stolen from him and wasn't turning up to work.
They began to torture her with thumb screws and cords around her head.
They eventually found a birthmark on her throat which led to her confessing.
She was sent to prison where she started to name other witches.
Some believed they were in an affair previously that ended shortly before the accusations.
The names she gave were those of Edinburgh gentlemen who had previously impeccable reputations.
Agnes Samson
Dr John fian
School master who was charged with 20 counts of witchcraft and high treason.
Refused to confess so was tortured extensively.
Personal animosity
Seaton vs Duncan
James VI vs Earl Bothwell