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Table of Contents
Witches were people who exercised witchcraft or the use of magic and supernatural powers. The phrase first appeared in medieval and early modern Europe. They were usually women accused of attacking their community, commonly taking them as evil beings. Folk healers were said to be the ones who used protective magic against witches.
See the fact file below for more information on Witches or alternatively download our comprehensive worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Facts & Information
Origin
- Early witches were thought to summon spirits to ask for assistance. The prevailing opinion was that they were pagans performing Devil’s work. Some so-called “witches” were also more interested in working as natural healers and were dubbed “wise women.”
- The earliest record of a witch was in the Bible’s book 1 Samuel, though it was unclear whether this was the first instance. The book was thought to have been written between 931 BCE and 721 BCE.
- In the witch story, King Saul requested help from the Witch of Endor to communicate with the spirit of the dead prophet Samuel, whom he believed would guide him in taking down the Philistine army.
- The witch successfully summoned Samuel.
- Instead of the assistance he expected, Saul was told of the prophecy about his and his son’s deaths.
- The next day, his son died in battle while Saul committed suicide.
- Witches and their practices were condemned in the Bible’s Old Testament.
Witchcraft
- The word ‘Witchcraft’ has been derived from the word ‘Wicca,’ which means ‘the wise one.’ In different historical periods, witchcraft has been seen as a magical phenomenon, a pagan worship or religion, sorcery, and others.
- Most societies feared it because it could cause supernatural harm and misfortune, among other things. Many historians and anthropologists thought it was an ideology for explaining misfortune in different ways.
- Other cultures believed that unthinkable misfortunes were caused by other supernatural beings such as gods, spirits, and demons, making them less afraid of witches.
- Ronald Hutton, an English historian, summarized most cultures’ beliefs about witchcraft into five attributes.
- It was the use of magic to cause harm or misfortune to other people.
- Witches used it to attack their community.
- It was a deeply immoral practice that involved forming an alliance with evil beings.
- It was passed down through generations or initiation.
- It could be fought with protective magic or by attacking the alleged witch.
- It was fought in Western countries using Old Testament laws.
- Witchcraft was generally evil and resulted in large-scale trials and hunts for witches, who were tortured to death after being blamed for misfortune. Before the Age of Enlightenment, Protestant Europe was one of the primary groups leading the hunts.
- It was designated as a branch of modern Paganism in the mid-20th century, even though it was already openly practiced.
- During the Age of Colonialism, when the modern Western world conquered various countries, its concept was introduced to many cultures.
- It was suspected of impeding medical care and the containment of illnesses that alarmed modern medicine in various countries, such as HIV/AIDS and the Ebola virus.
Thwarting Witchcraft
- Witches and witchcraft were generally regarded negatively. While people were afraid of “black magic,” there were some societies, particularly in Europe and Britain, where “white magic” was thought to help them.
- Those who were using white magic were commonly called “cunning-man” or “wise-man.” They were expected to break the effects of witchcraft and do other good things, such as identifying the witches’ identities.
- Some churchmen still regard them as “witches” because they continued to use magic, which the church considers evil.
- People did not overly praise them because they were also thought to be capable of causing harm.
- Many convicted “witches” in Europe, France, and Hungary were thought to be demonized cunning folk or healers.
- Aside from the cunning folk, there are other ways to combat witchcraft. Some items used to cure bewitchment were amulets, charms, and talismans.
- Another popular belief held that witchcraft would be destroyed if the alleged witch were persuaded or forced to break their spell.
- This was the driving force behind the execution of alleged witches because people continued to try to combat witchcraft by any means possible.
- It’s also worth noting that in centuries past, witches have been depicted as evil women, while wizards were seen as powerful and knowledgeable without the connotations of evil.
Witch Hunts and Trials
- In 1428, the first systematic campaign on witch hunts began in the Valais, in the House of Savoy. It initiated the period of witch trials in Europe.
- In 1590, Elizabeth of Doberschutz was accused of using magic when she gave a speculated “witch potion” to the wife of Duke John Frederick of Pomerania-Stettin, causing the Duchess’ infertility. She was pursued and captured. She was beheaded on December 17, 1591, after being accused of witchcraft.
- The Witch of Nördlingen, Maria Holl, was an innkeeper. She was accused of witchcraft and was tormented more than 50 times for her to confess being a witch because she managed to run the local tavern. With all of the times she was tortured, not once did she give in and confess to being a witch. On October 11, 1594, she was cleared of the charges.
- From 1644-1646, over 100 women were tried and executed by England’s infamous witch-hunter Matthew Hopkins, who was inspired by King James’ book on demonology.
- Anna Roleffes, most commonly known as Tempel Anneke, was described as smart and outspoken. She had learned medical skills from her mother. She was accused of maleficium or causing harm with magic. Even though no evidence was found to support the accusations, she was prosecuted and sentenced. She was executed in Germany on December 30, 1663.
- A series of proceedings involving over two hundred people accused of witchcraft in Massachusetts occurred between February 1692 and May 1693 and became known as the Salem Witch Trials. Thirty of them were found guilty of the charge and sentenced.
- Anna Goldi was a Glarus maidservant. When she was arrested on February 9, 1782, while under torture, she confessed that she had made a pact with the devil, who showed up to her in the form of a black dog. She took back her confession when the torture ended, but the Protestant Council nevertheless sentenced her to death by the sword. On June 13, 1782, she was executed as one of Europe’s last women convicted of witchcraft.
- From the Valais witch trials in 1427 up to Anna Goldi’s execution in 1782, approximately 30,000 to 60,000 people, predominantly women who did not look or act in accordance with authority figures’ expectations were executed for witchcraft.
Parliament Towards Witchcraft
- In 1542, Parliament passed the Witchcraft Act. It declared witchcraft a crime carrying the death penalty.
- The 1542 Witchcraft Act was repealed in 1547 but was reinstated in 1562 by a new Act.
- A further law was passed during the reign of James I in 1604, primarily due to the king’s interest in demonology. The witch trials were brought from the Church to the ordinary courts.
- The Witchcraft Act of 1735 was presented by John Conduit, whose wife was Sir Isaac Newton’s niece. It seeks to fine or imprison anyone who accuses others of practicing witchcraft. When it was introduced in the Commons, it triggered laughter from members of Parliament, but it was nevertheless passed in 1736. In Great Britain, the law prohibited witch hunts and executions.
- The Vagrancy Act of 1824 made fortune-telling, astrology, and spiritualism punishable offenses.
Witches Worksheets
This bundle contains 11 ready-to-use Witches worksheets that are perfect for students who want to learn more about Witches and Witchcraft which can be described as the practice of pagan worship or religion, natural medicine, and spirituality.
Download includes the following worksheets:
- Witches Facts
- Movie Experience
- Fact or Bluff
- Opinion Section
- Fill in the Blanks
- What Happened?
- Known Witches
- The Witch Trials
- Word Search
- Who Am I?
- Church and Witches
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first witch?
The earliest record of a witch was in the Bible’s book 1 Samuel, though it was unclear whether this was the first instance. The book was thought to have been written between 931 BCE and 721 BCE.
Who was the last witch?
Anna Goldi was a Glarus maidservant. When she was arrested on February 9, 1782, while under torture, she confessed that she had made a pact with the devil, who showed up to her in the form of a black dog. She took back her confession when the torture ended, but the Protestant Council nevertheless sentenced her to death by the sword. On June 13, 1782, she was executed as one of Europe’s last women convicted of witchcraft.
How many witches were killed?
From the Valais witch trials in 1427 up to Anna Goldi’s execution in 1782, approximately 30,000 to 60,000 people were executed for witchcraft.
What is a good witch called?
Those who were using white magic were commonly called “cunning-man” or “wise-man.” They were expected to break the effects of witchcraft and do other good things, such as identifying the witches’ identities.
When did witchcraft become legal?
The Witchcraft Act of 1735 was presented by John Conduit, whose wife was Sir Isaac Newton’s niece. It seeks to fine or imprison anyone who accuses others of practicing witchcraft. When it was introduced in the Commons, it triggered laughter from members of Parliament, but it was nevertheless passed in 1736. In Great Britain, the law prohibited witch hunts and executions.
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Link will appear as Witches Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, October 12, 2017
Use With Any Curriculum
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