The Unbelievable History of the Wicked UK Witch Trials
The wicked history of the UK witch trials reflects a dark chapter of fear, superstition, and persecution in the country’s past.
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TRIGGER WARNING: Torture, Racism, Misogyny
The UK Witch Trials Sadly Spanned Many Centuries
The history of the UK witch trials spans several centuries and is characterised by periods of intense witch hunting and persecution. Beliefs in witchcraft and the supernatural were deeply ingrained in society. And accusations of witchcraft often led to horrifying trials and executions.
It’s quite a difficult set of incidents to unpick from history, generally. Intelligent and/or single women, black and Asian people, and vulnerable people have consistently been persecuted over time. Which means their voices were never heard. Everything is all very one-sided. Especially when you take into account the destruction of court documents and inaccurate and biassed record taking.
Witchcraft in the Mediaeval Period
During the Mediaeval period, accusations of witchcraft were relatively rare, and the Church generally viewed witchcraft as superstition. The Canon Episcopi, a Church law document from the 10th or 11th century, denied the existence of witchcraft. It argued that those who believed in it were heretics.
While heresy in itself is a problematic accusation, at least there wasn’t originally abject panic about something as completely backwards as the concept of wicked witches. But that was about to change.
Witchcraft in the mediaeval period was a complex phenomenon that encompassed a range of beliefs and practices relating to magic, religion, and folklore. Witchcraft eventually came to be seen as a threat to the Christian Church and society at large.
The Assimilation of Christianity into Paganism
Many of the beliefs and practices associated with mediaeval witchcraft were rooted in pagan traditions and pre-Christian folk beliefs. You have to remember here that when the Romans invaded the UK, they had a challenge in forcing the country to convert to Catholicism. But you can’t just march into a country and demand a change in belief system without risking civil war and uprisings. So to guide the belief system in the Catholic direction, they integrated what we think of as Christianity into the already existing Pagan belief system.
That’s why Christmas is held around the same time as the Winter Solstice, for example. It’s nothing to do with Jesus’ birthday, but instead was a way to celebrate an Anglo-Saxon pagan holiday with a Christian focus. Similarly, Easter is derived from Ostara and was originally the pagan festival of new beginnings and fertility. The Romans insisted this holiday should celebrate the demise and rebirth of Christ. Easter is still the most important holiday in the Christian calendar.
Witchcraft Became Heresy in the Eyes of the Church
Some mediaeval people believed that witches possessed supernatural powers that could be used for both good and evil purposes. Such as healing the sick, causing crop failure, or summoning spirits.
The Christian Church grew to view witchcraft as a form of heresy. Witchcraft was increasingly associated with demonic forces. The Church believed that witches made a pact with the Devil, renounced their Christian faith, and engaged in various sinful and blasphemous acts. These could include worshipping idols, having sexual relations with demons, and performing black magic.
As a result of this growing fear, the Church and secular authorities began to persecute and prosecute individuals suspected of being witches.
The Church, Once More, Uses S.P.I.N. Selling to Gaslight People
If you think about it, the Church knew exactly what it was doing. Anyone still holding onto their pagan beliefs was vilified as a Devil worshipper. The Church could “save” its people from these Devil worshippers, thus killing two birds with one stone. They would save their flock from these wrong-doers, which would mean an increase in trust. And at the same time, they would cull any remaining dissenters and opposition to Christianity. Therefore, the Catholic Church’s power would be complete.
It also served to remove the knowledge and independence from medicine women, midwives and healers and place it into the hands of male doctors.
Malleus Maleficarum in the Late 15th to 16th centuries
The Malleus Maleficarum, also known as the “Hammer of Witches,” was a treatise on witchcraft written in 1486. It was developed by Heinrich Kramer, a German Catholic clergyman and inquisitor, and James Sprenger, a fellow clergyman. The publication of this influential book increased the belief in witchcraft and fuelled the flames of the first witch hunting.
The Malleus Maleficarum is divided into three sections. The first section provides an overview of witchcraft and its origins. While the second section outlines the procedures for identifying, prosecuting, and punishing witches. The third section provides instructions on how to exorcise and protect oneself from witchcraft.
The Malleus Maleficarum Incites Hate
The Malleus Maleficarum argues that witchcraft is blasphemous and a form of apostasy. It states that witches make a pact with the Devil in exchange for supernatural powers. It describes in detail the various forms of witchcraft and the ways in which witches are said to use their powers. It was believed that witches would harm others through curses, spells, and the use of familiars.
The book also provides instructions for conducting trials of suspected witches, including the use of torture to extract confessions. It was used as a guide for inquisitors and judges during the witch hunts. And it played a significant role in shaping the legal and theological framework for the prosecution of witches.
the Hateful Book Has Received Much Warranted Criticism
While the Malleus Maleficarum was widely read and influential during its time, it has been criticised for its misogynistic and unscientific views on witchcraft. The book reinforces the stereotype of the witch as a female figure. It asserts that women are more susceptible to witchcraft because of their “weaker intellect” and “moral character.” The Malleus Maleficarum also relies heavily on superstition and hearsay as evidence, rather than empirical observation and logical reasoning. Much like the Daily Mail.
The Witchcraft Act of 1542 was enacted during the reign of Henry VIII. It made witchcraft a felony and punishable by death.
A Sharp Increase in witch hunts in the 17th century
The 1600s saw a significant increase in the UK witch trials. These witch hunts were marked by widespread hysteria, religious intolerance, and the persecution and execution of thousands of people. Mostly women.
The English Witchcraft Act of 1604, passed during the reign of James I, further criminalised witchcraft and increased prosecutions. It defined witchcraft as a felony and made it punishable by death.
The North Berwick witch trials in Scotland were among the most notorious. They involved the accusations and trials of individuals, including Agnes Sampson and Euphemia Maclean. The women were believed to have used witchcraft to harm King James VI.
The Great Scottish Witch Hunt in the Late 17th to early 18th centuries
The late 17th century was marked by a period known as the “Great Scottish Witch Hunt.” It resulted in numerous witch trials and executions. An estimated 4,000 people, mostly women, were accused of witchcraft. Around 2,500 of these people were executed. It’s all so devastating to think about.
The witch hunt was driven by religious and political tensions, as well as superstition and fear. Scotland was a deeply religious country at the time, with a strong belief in witchcraft and the supernatural. In addition, there were frequent outbreaks of disease and famine, which led many people to look for scapegoats. Witches were often blamed for misfortune.
The UK Witch Hunts Reach their Fever Pitch
The witch hunts began in earnest in the late 17th century, when several high-profile cases of witchcraft were reported. The most famous of these was the case of the Bargarran witches, a group of young girls who claimed to have been bewitched by local women. The case sparked a wave of witch hunting across Scotland. Many people were accused of witchcraft based on flimsy or fabricated evidence.
And then the UK Witch Hunts Started to Fizzle Out
The witch hunts began to burn themselves out in the early 18th century. Attitudes towards witchcraft began to change and the government became more sceptical of the accusations. Thankfully.
In England, the Witchcraft Act of 1735 repealed earlier statutes and made it a crime to claim or pretend to have magical powers. However, this act focused on fraudulent claims rather than actual witchcraft.
By the late 18th century, belief in witchcraft began to decline altogether, and scepticism increased. Enlightened ideas and scientific progress played a role in challenging superstitions and witch hunting practices. Finally, people were starting to realise that they had been torturing innocent women for centuries.
The Witchcraft Act of 1735 was repealed in 1951, finally abolishing the crime of witchcraft in the UK.
Let that sink in for a moment. It was the 1950s when the UK witch trials were officially over.
The Witch Tests in the UK Witch Trials Were… Erroneous
During the UK witch trials, people used various methods to determine if someone was a witch. These methods varied depending on the time and place, as well as the beliefs and practices of the individuals conducting the trials. But one thing remained consistent – the tests were all exceptionally cruel and painful.
The Swimming Test
One of the most common methods was the “witch test” or “trial by ordeal.” This involved subjecting the accused person to a physically or emotionally taxing test. Such as being tied up and thrown into a body of water. If the person sank and drowned, they were considered innocent. If they floated, it was believed that they had made a pact with the devil and were therefore guilty. If found guilty, they were burned at the stake. It was a sick “choice” between drowning or burning to death.
Witch Cakes, not Hot Cakes
Other methods included the use of “witch cakes.” To make a witch cake, the urine of the person who was believed to be under the influence of a witch would be mixed with rye flour and ashes. The resulting mixture would be baked into a cake. The cake was then fed to a dog.
The theory was that the urine of the bewitched person contained traces of the witch’s magic. That this magic would be transferred to the cake when it was mixed with other ingredients. When the dog ate the cake, it would supposedly become agitated or sick. This indicated that the witch who had cast the spell was nearby.
Some great logic at work there.
The Bizarre Argument for Spectral Evidence
Another method was the use of “spectral evidence.” This involved witnesses testifying that they had seen the accused person’s spirit or ghost engaging in witchcraft or consorting with the devil.
During the trials, many accusers testified that they had been visited by the spirits of the accused witches, who had allegedly tormented them or tried to make them sign the Devil’s Book. Despite being entirely anecdotal, this kind of testimony was considered admissible evidence. It was often used to convict the accused witches.
Any Blemish Could be a Devil’s Mark
The Devil’s Mark was a supposed mark or brand that witches were believed to have received from the Devil as a sign of their allegiance to him. It was believed that witches made a pact with the Devil and that he would mark their skin with a special symbol to identify them as his followers. The mark was said to be insensitive to pain and could be used to test whether someone was a witch or not. It was also said that the mark could be used as a third nipple with which to feed a witch’s familiar.
The exact nature of the Devil’s Mark was often described as a mark or symbol that was difficult to see and could appear anywhere on the body. In some cases, it was said to be a physical mark, such as a mole or birthmark. While in other cases, it was said to be a spiritual mark that only became visible during certain rituals or under certain conditions.
The belief in the Devil’s Mark played a significant role in the UK witch trials. It was often used as evidence of a person’s guilt. Suspected witches were subjected to invasive examinations in an attempt to find the mark. And many innocent people were falsely accused and convicted based on this flawed and superstitious belief.
Just Straight Up Torture
There were also cases where the accused person was subjected to torture in order to extract a confession or to force them to name other supposed witches.
Confessions were often obtained through coercion or false promises of leniency. Sleep deprivation was a favourite torture tactic. Other common methods of torture included the rack, the thumbscrew, and the strappado (a form of hanging by the wrists). There was also the boot (a form of crushing the legs), the thumbscrew, and the use of the witch’s bridle (a metal mask placed on the head with sharp prongs that were inserted into the mouth). This was also known as a scold’s bridle and would be used to punish wives who scolded their husbands. Women were generally having a bit of a shit time, all in all.
This torture often led to false confessions and the persecution of innocent people. Because torture only serves to create a false narrative. Someone experiencing torture will tell you exactly what you want to hear to make it stop.
The unfortunate Souls Accused of Witchcraft in the UK Witch Trials
The people who were persecuted for witchcraft were predominantly women, although some men were also accused and prosecuted.
Many of those accused of witchcraft were elderly, poor, and vulnerable members of society, such as widows or unmarried women. These individuals were often seen as easy targets because they were already on the margins of society and were often viewed with suspicion.
In addition to these vulnerable individuals, there were also cases where more prominent members of society were accused of witchcraft. For example, in 1612, the Lancashire witch trials saw the prosecution of a group of individuals that included a wealthy landowner, a peddler, and several members of a local family.
Overall, however, it was typically those who were already marginalised who were most at risk of being accused of witchcraft and persecuted during the UK witch trials.
Witchcraft is Again on the Rise… but So Is Fundamental Christianity
In modern times, there has been a growing interest in witchcraft and paganism, particularly in Western countries. This interest has been fuelled by a variety of factors, including a rejection of mainstream religions, a desire for spiritual fulfilment, and a fascination with the occult and mysticism.
Wiccans and Other Witches in Modern Day
One of the most visible expressions of modern witchcraft is Wicca, a neopagan religion that emerged in the mid-20th century. Wiccans worship a goddess and a god, and they follow a set of ethical principles known as the Wiccan Rede. Wicca has gained popularity in recent years, with many people finding solace and meaning in its rituals and beliefs.
In addition to Wicca, there are many other forms of modern witchcraft and paganism, ranging from traditional practices to more eclectic and individualistic approaches. Some practitioners identify as witches or spellcasters, while others prefer terms like “magickal practitioner” or “energy worker.” Many modern witches and pagans draw on a variety of traditions and practices, incorporating elements from different cultures and spiritual paths.
Even Now, Witches Come Under Scrutiny
The rise of modern witchcraft has not been without controversy, however. Some people view witchcraft as dangerous or evil, and there have been cases of discrimination and persecution against witches and pagans.
I find the rise of fundamental Christianity very worrying. While people are entitled to believe whatever they want, the removal of women’s rights over their own bodies in the US is genuinely terrifying to me. And the amount of people ready to jump on the bandwagon of “devil worship” at every little thing is astounding to me in this day and age. Reports of demonic possession are on the rise too, causing the Vatican to start frantically training priests in the art of exorcism.
In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia and parts of Africa, witchcraft is illegal and can be punished by imprisonment or even death. Which proves my point above about the rise of fundamental Christianity. I worry that modern witch trials will be called for by those who lack understanding. We are, after all, in the second dark ages.
Despite these challenges, the popularity of modern witchcraft and paganism continues to grow, with more people exploring these paths as a way to connect with nature, the divine, and their own inner selves.
It’s not Just Witchcraft - The Church of Satan is Out and proud
The Church of Satan, founded by Anton LaVey in 1966, is a nontheistic religious organisation that promotes individualism, rationalism, and scepticism. Its core tenets include the rejection of supernatural beliefs, the embrace of hedonism and self-fulfilment, and the promotion of personal responsibility and social Darwinism.
In addition, the Church of Satan has been successful in promoting its message through popular culture, such as through music, movies, and television shows. Many famous musicians, actors, and artists have publicly identified as Satanists, further raising the profile of the movement.
It’s worth noting that while the Church of Satan and other Satanic groups may be on the rise, they are still a relatively small and marginalised minority. The vast majority of people in Western countries still identify with mainstream religions or consider themselves non religious. However, the Church of Satan and other Satanic groups are part of a larger trend towards alternative spiritualities and nontraditional belief systems that is likely to continue in the coming years.
Scaredy Cat Skeptic Take
The witch hunts of the 17th century have been widely condemned as a dark chapter in human history, marked by intolerance, ignorance, and violence. They serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of mass hysteria and the importance of protecting individual rights and freedoms.
Today, many countries have laws and protections in place to prevent the kind of persecution and discrimination that characterised the witch hunts of the past. What worries me is that we seem to be going backwards in a lot of places and people seem to be calling for more extreme laws. Burning books that express how other people live is so exceptionally worrying to me.
We all have to remain passionate about human rights if we don’t want a repeat of this kind of cruelty. There’s already enough bad shit and enough terrible, money grabbing people as it is.
Sad. That’s my take. Just terribly, awfully, desperately sad about it all.
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