Salem Witch Trials Essay -- essays research papers

The capital of Oregon witch trials began with the accusation of people in Salem of being witches. only when the concept of witchery started far before these trials and false accusations occurred. In the former(a) Christian centuries, the church was relatively tolerant of magical practices. Those who were proved to name engaged in witchcraft were required only to do penance. exclusively in the late Middle Ages (13th century to 14th century) opposition to alleged witchcraft hardened as a result of the growing picture that all magic and miracles that did not come unambiguously from God came from the dun and were therefore objet dartifestations of evil. Those who practiced simple sorcery, much(prenominal) as village sassy women, were increasingly regarded as practitioners of diabolical witchcraft. They came to be viewed as individuals in union with demon. Nearly all those who fell beneath suspicion of witchcraft were women, simply regarded by witch-hunters as especiallyvul nerable to the Devils blandishments. A lurid picture of the activities of witches emerged in the popular mind, including covens, or gatherings over which Satan presided pacts with the Devil flying broomsticks and animal accomplices, or familiars. Although a few of these elements may represent leftovers of pre-Christian religion, the old religion probably did not persist in any organized form beyond the 14th century. The popular physical body of witchcraft, perhaps inspired by features of occultism or ceremonial magic as well as by theology concerning the Devil and his works of darkness, was apt(p) shape by the inflamed imagination of inquisitors and was confirmed by statements obtained under torture. The late medieval and early modern picture of diabolical witchcraft can be attri barelyed to several ca enforces. First, the churchs experience with such dissident religious movements as the Albigenses and Cathari, who believed in a radical dualism of in effect(p) and evil, led to t he belief that certain people had allied themselves with Satan. As a result of confrontations with such heresy, the Inquisition was established by a serial of papal decrees between 1227 and 1235. Pope Innocent IV authorized the use of torture in 1252, and Pope Alexander IV gave the Inquisition federal agency over all cases of sorcery involving heresy, although local courts carried out most tangible prosecution of witches. At the same time, other developments created a climate in which alle... ...urse was accused as well, but demonstrate not guilty in the trial. Over 40 friends and neighbors testified in her favor, telling of her good faith and character. nevertheless the verdict from the jury caused such an outcry of fear, that the jury was asked to re-consider and she was then found guilty and hung. Mary Esty, Rebecca Nurses sister was also accused of being a witch, but she argued her case so well and in such a convincing manner, that the girls relented and she was found not guilty. She was released, a first in the witch-trials, but before long she was arrested once again on the claim that the girls had been preoccupied by her ghost. She was convicted and hung on September 22, 1692. Although all of the "witches" were hung, a certain man named Giles Cory was killed in a traditional English manner. He was pressed, pressing was where they would infinite heavy stones on a person till they died. Cory died two days later, crushed. 25 lives were taken during these Salem trials. 19 "witches" were hung at Gallows hill. One was tortured to death by pressing. And five others died in prison, including an infant. The Salem witch trials were in the main caused by these two girls imagination.