Real witches, also known as historical witches, are figures from the past who were accused of witchcraft and faced persecution or execution. The belief in witchcraft and the existence of evil witches with supernatural powers has a long history, rooted in various cultures and time periods. During the infamous Salem witch trials that took place in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1692-1693, several individuals were accused of practicing witchcraft. These accusations led to the execution of 20 people, most of them being women. The Salem witch trials are among the most well-known and documented cases of the persecution of witches in history. Another notable example of historical witches can be found in Europe during the period known as the Early Modern Witch Hunts, which took place from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
Another notable example of historical witches can be found in Europe during the period known as the Early Modern Witch Hunts, which took place from the 15th to the 18th centuries. Tens of thousands of individuals, mostly women, were accused of practicing witchcraft and faced torture, interrogation, and execution. These witch hunts were fueled by the widespread belief in the Devil and his pact with witches.
Witches in Britain
Witchcraft was not made a capital offence in Britain until 1563 although it was deemed heresy and was denounced as such by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. From 1484 until around 1750 some 200,000 witches were tortured, burnt or hanged in Western Europe.
Most supposed witches were usually old women, and invariably poor. Any who were unfortunate enough to be ‘crone-like’, snaggle-toothed, sunken cheeked and having a hairy lip were assumed to possess the ‘Evil Eye’ ! If they also had a cat this was taken a proof, as witches always had a ‘familiar’, the cat being the most common.
Many unfortunate women were condemned on this sort of evidence and hanged after undergoing appalling torture. The ‘pilnie-winks’ (thumb screws) and iron ‘caspie-claws’ (a form of leg irons heated over a brazier) usually got a confession from the supposed witch.
Witch fever gripped East Anglia for 14 terrible months between 1645 – 1646. The people of these eastern counties were solidly Puritan and rabid anti-Catholics and easily swayed by bigoted preachers whose mission was to seek out the slightest whiff of heresy. A man called Matthew Hopkins, an unsuccessful lawyer, came to help (!) He became known as the ‘Witchfinder General’ . He had 68 people put to death in Bury St. Edmunds alone, and 19 hanged at Chelmsford in a single day. After Chelmsford he set off for Norfolk and Suffolk. Aldeburgh paid him £6 for clearing the town of witches, Kings Lynn £15 and a grateful Stowmarket £23. This was at a time when the daily wage was 2.5p.
A heart carved on a wall in the market place at Kings Lynn is supposed to mark the spot where the heart of Margaret Read, a condemned witch who was being burnt at the stake, leapt from the flames and struck the wall.
Much of Matthew Hopkins theories of deduction were based on Devils Marks. A wart or mole or even a flea-bite he took to be a Devils Mark and he used his ‘jabbing needle’ to see if these marks were insensitive to pain. His ‘needle’ was a 3 inch long spike which retracted into the spring-loaded handle so the unfortunate woman never felt any pain.
Matthew Hopkins, Witch Finder General. From a broadside published by Hopkins before 1650
There were other tests for witches. Mary Sutton of Bedford was put to the swimming test. With her thumbs tied to opposite big toes she was flung into the river. If she floated she was guilty, if she sank, innocent. Poor Mary floated!
A last reminder of Hopkins’ reign of terror was discovered in St. Osyth, Essex, in 1921. Two female skeletons were found in a garden, pinned into unmarked graves and with iron rivets driven through their joints. This was to make sure a witch could not return from the grave. Hopkins was responsible for over 300 executions.
Mother Shipton is remembered still in Knaresborough, Yorkshire. Although called a witch, she is more famous for her predictions about the future. She apparently foresaw cars, trains, planes and the telegraph. Her cave and the Dripping Well , where objects hung under the dripping water become like stone, are a popular site to visit today in Knaresborough.
In August 1612, the Pendle Witches, three generations of one family, were marched through the crowded streets of Lancaster and hanged.
Though many of the Acts against witchcraft were repealed in 1736, witch hunting still went on. In 1863, an alleged male witch was drowned in a pond in Headingham, Essex and in 1945 the body of an elderly farm labourer was found near the village of Meon Hill in Warwickshire. His throat had been cut and his corpse was pinned to the earth with a pitchfork. The murder remains unsolved, however the man was reputed, locally, to be a wizard.
It seems that belief in witchcraft has not entirely died out.
Published: 29th May 2015
Published: 29th May 2015
One prominent figure in witchcraft history is the Pendle witches who were accused of practicing witchcraft in Pendle Hill, Lancashire, England, in 1612. This case is significant because it involved an entire family and resulted in the execution of ten people, including two children. The concept of witches and witchcraft has existed in various forms throughout different cultures and time periods. In ancient civilizations, such as Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, witches were believed to possess supernatural powers and were often associated with the worship of pagan gods. In medieval Europe, witches were seen as servants of the Devil who could use their powers to harm others or cause natural disasters. The persecution of witches was based on the belief that their actions caused harm to individuals or communities. These harmful actions were often attributed to the witches' ability to cast spells, engage in black magic, or communicate with the Devil. The witch trials were often marked by torture and cruel interrogation methods to extract confessions. It is essential to note that the idea of witches and witchcraft was largely based on fear, superstition, and ignorance. Many of the accused witches were innocent individuals who were targeted due to personal grudges, social tensions, or a lack of understanding about natural phenomena. While the existence of real witches with supernatural powers remains a subject of debate, the persecution and execution of individuals accused of witchcraft is undoubtedly a dark chapter in human history. The witch trials serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, prejudice, and the abuse of power..
Reviews for "Hidden Histories: Real Witches Who Shaped the World We Live In"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "Real witches in history". I was expecting a deep exploration into the history of witches and how they were perceived throughout different time periods, but instead, I found the book to be shallow and lacking in substance. The author merely skimmed the surface of the topic without delving into any real analysis or providing any valuable insights. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive understanding of witches in history.
2. Michael - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. Not only did it fail to deliver on its promise of exploring real witches in history, but it also presented outdated stereotypes and misinformation. The author seemed to rely more on sensationalism and myths rather than factual information. I was hoping for a well-researched and balanced account, but all I got was a poorly executed and shallow read.
3. Emily - 2 stars - "Real witches in history" was a disappointing read. The book lacked cohesion and structure, making it hard to follow the author's train of thought. The information provided was often vague and lacking in detail, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the writing style was dry and unengaging, making it difficult to stay interested in the subject matter. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone seeking an in-depth exploration of witches in history.
4. James - 1 star - Save your money and skip this book. "Real witches in history" felt like a rushed and poorly researched piece of work. The author repeatedly relied on hearsay and unverified anecdotes rather than presenting fully substantiated historical facts. The lack of proper citations and references made it difficult to trust the information provided. Ultimately, I found this book to be a disservice to the rich history of witches and an overall disappointment.