Witch Hunt Essay

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HIST303 Witch Hunting 1400-1700
Essay 1: Describe the nature of "witchcraft"and explain why it was threatening to Christianity.
Prepared by: Sikiki Angela Lloyd
Due: 4 April 2014 Student Number: 203139861
Image: The Witches' Sabbath. Hans Baldung 'Grien', 1510. The Hammer and the Hunt
Witchcraft persecution peaked in intensity between 1560 and 1630 however the large scale witch hysteria began in the 14th century, at the end of the Middle Ages and were most intense during the Renaissance and continued until the 18th century, an era often referred to as the Enlightenment or Age of Reason. Representation of witches, nay, representation in general is a political issue. Without the power ot define the female voice and participate in decisions …show more content…

These sources were: pricking, swimming and watching. Pricking was based on the theory that every witch bore the mark of the Devil which was insensitive to pain. Thus a witch's body was searched for such a mark and then pricked. If the accused did not respond to pain this signified guilt. Pricking was enough evidence to prosecute. Swimming was based on the idea that devils and their agents could not sink in water. Watching was based on the concept that witches had familiars or imps provided by the Devil and these familiars assisted witches in diabolical …show more content…

From the twelfth century processions of undead souls became part of the witch story, now known as the Furious Horde who by the fifteenth were attributed as causing all manner of disturbance throughout the countryside. These riding witches reflected then concerns about the moral and sexual disorder and the iconography reinforced particular ideas regarding the witch and the nature of witchcraft in the attempt subordination of morality as well as existing power constructs. 'For the most part the witch has only the intent to harm, whilst Satan actually performs that which he would have done....in accordance with the provisions of the Common Law which considers the author of a crime equally worthy of punishment as the man who actually commits

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