In another resonance with modern times, the author shows how decisions were often diverted into the hands of witch-hunters, witch-finders (including self-appointed Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins), witch-prickers and other experts as well as the quaintly titled ‘cunning-folk’ consulted by prosecutors and ‘victims’.Ĭrimen Exceptum (crimes apart). A straightforward and authoritative guide. All this reinforced by examples and detailed references to the law and practice through which a desired outcome was achieved. Bearing echoes of modern-day ‘othering’ and marginalisation of outsiders he shows how witchcraft became akin to treason (with its special rules), how evidentially speaking storms, sickness or coincidence might be attributed to conjuring, magic, curses and spells. A mix of superstition, fear, belief and ready explanations for ailments, misfortune or disasters caused law, politics and religion to indulge in criminalisation and the appearance of justice. They were executed after trial and conviction with full legal process’. Alleged witches were not rounded up at night and summarily killed extra-judicially or lynched as the victims of mob justice. As the author notes, ‘The early-modern European witch-hunts were neither orchestrated massacres nor spontaneous pogroms.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |