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History - Witchcraft - 1580-1750 - Coggle Diagram
History - Witchcraft - 1580-1750
Fraudulent Cases
Boy of Burton
Summary:
An alleged witch cursed a young boy, Thomas Darling, making him ill. Both the boy's illness and his supposed exorcism, by John Darrell, were later proven fake.
Detailed Story (from Darling):
Thomas Darling and his father were hare-hunting, before Darling broke off and encountered a woman (later suspected to be either Goodridge or Wright).
The two entered an altercation after Darling allegedly passed gas near her, resulting in the woman cursing Darling. Besetting him with visions of green angels and a green cat, later reported as familiars.
Characters:
Primary "Victim": Thomas Darling
Alleged Exorcist: John Darrell
Suspected Witches: 60-year-old Alice Goodridge or 80-year-old Elizabeth Wright
The Pendle Swindle
The Demon Drummer
Jane Wenham Case
JOHN HOLT
Lord Chief of Justice from 1689 to 1710
He oversaw 11 trials, 12 being linked with Witchcraft
Holt was influenced by the intellectual change in climate and the sceptical works of Webster, Beaumont and Bekker
Most famous case is of Sarah Murdock, who Holt acquitted, being met with backlash from Murdocks neighbours.
The fact Holt was ready to put the accusers in the Murdock case on trial highlights how serious his scpe
PUBLICATIONS
The Enchanted World 1691
Displaying of Supposed Witchcraft 1677
Candle in the Dark 1656
The Discoverie of Witchcraft 1584
Discovery of the Fraudulent Practices of John darrell 1599
Case Studies