Witches. A witch is a person who practices witchcraft. A Warlock is not a male. witch. A Warlock means traitor or devil. Witches are normally

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1 Witches A witch is a person who practices witchcraft. A Warlock is not a male witch. A Warlock means traitor or devil. Witches are normally portrayed as wicked old women who have wrinkled skin, pimples, and pointy hats. They wear clothes that are black or purple. They also have warts on their noses and sometimes long claw-like fingernails. They normally have a black cat with them. Many cultures all over the world believe in withes and witchcraft, and often people who are thought to be witches are made to feel unwelcome. "Witch" in the Bible means summoner of spirits, so it might really also mean warlock. In Europe in the early modern period, persecution of witches (witch hunts and witchcraft trials) took place because many Christians were scared of witches and witchcraft at that time. About sixty thousand people, it has been stated, were tried for witchcraft, and executed. Most of them were hanged. Some were burned at the stake (tied to a long pole and burned alive). This was the most popular punishment. The Salem trials were among these trials. Gilles Corey was one of the people accused of witchcraft. Because he knew that he had done no wrong, Corey simply refused to speak. He was pressed to death.

2 Women were burned at the stake for simply sweeping their porches on Sundays or putting herbs in a soup. Among those punished were people who did not live peacefully with their rulers, like Joan of Arc. Queen Anne Boleyn was accused of being a witch and was said to have had a large mole on her neck and a sixth finger. This was most probably a story invented by her enemies. There were some men (for example, Johann Weyer, Friedrich Spee and Anton Praetorius) who protested against torture and against the chase of witches. During the early Modern Age, people developed a whole set of teachings and beliefs about witches. These beliefs were centered around the following: 1. Witches are able to fly around on brooms, sticks, animals, demons, or using special ointments. 2. Witches meet with other witches, and with the devil on occasions called witches' Sabbath. 3. Witches have a pact with the devil. 4. Witches can use spells and black magic to do bad things to others.

3 How people were identified as witches People believed that a witch had certain things that clearly identified her as a witch. Some of these were: What was called Diabolical mark. It was a mark of the devil. Most of the time, this was a mole or birthmark. If the examiner found no mark, often he would say he had found an invisible mark. A pact with the devil Being denounced by another witch. This was common. Often, witches who told about other witches were punished less severely. For example, they were strangled before being burnt at the stake. A relationship with other known witch(es) Blasphemy Taking part in Sabbaths. To harm someone with sorcery To have some of the things needed to do black magic To have one or more witches in the family To be afraid during the interrogations. Most often the interrogations involved torture. To not cry when tortured To have red hair. Another common method of test was the `Swim` test. The suspected witch would have a rope tied around the waist and rocks

4 (on ropes as well) attached to her feet. The suspected witch was then thrown into the water. If they drowned (which is more than likely) they were wrongly accused. If they floated they were said to be a witch and a trial would be held.

5 What do we know about Witches? A witch is a person who practices witchcraft. A Warlock is not a In Europe in the early modern period, persecution of witches (witch hunts and witchcraft trials) took place because many male witch. A Warlock means Christians were scared of witches and witchcraft at that time. traitor or devil. Witches are About were tried for witchcraft, and executed. Most of normally portrayed as wicked old women who have wrinkled skin, them were hanged. Some were burned at the stake. The Salem trials were among these trials. Women were even burned at the pimples, and pointy hats. They stake for simply sweeping their porches on Sundays or putting wear clothes that are black or herbs in a soup. purple. They also have warts on their noses and sometimes long claw-like fingernails. They normally have a black cat with Activities for you to do them. People believed that a witch had certain things What symbols do you associate with witches? that clearly identified her as a witch. Some of these were: What was called Diabolical mark. It was a mark of the devil. Most of the time, this was a mole or birthmark. If the examiner found no mark, often he would say he had found an invisible mark. A pact with the devil Being denounced by another witch. This was common. Often, witches who told about other witches were punished less severely. For example, they were strangled before being burnt at the stake. A relationship with other known witch(es) Blasphemy Taking part in Sabbaths. To harm someone with sorcery To have some of the things needed to do black magic To have one or more witches in the family To be afraid during the interrogations. Most often the interrogations involved torture. To not cry when tortured To have red hair. Another common method of test was the Swim test. The suspected witch would have a rope tied around the waist and rocks attached to her feet. The suspected witch was then thrown into the water. If they drowned (which is more than likely) they were wrongly accused. If they floated they were said to be a witch and a trial would be held What can you find out about the Salem Witch Trials? When were they? Where were they? What is depicted in This image? Answer the questions: What is a warlock? What is blasphemy? What are some modern day beliefs about witches? Grade 5 Worksheets

6 LET S TALK about FAMOUS Witches All of the following were real people. Child-Witch, Agatha Gatter Elisabeth von Doberschütz, beheaded and burnt outside the gates of Stettin, on 17th December, 1591 Anna Roleffes, better known as Tempel Anneke was one of the last witches to be executed in Braunschweig. She was executed 30th December,1663. Hester Jonas, known as The Witch of Neuss. Beheaded and burnt on Christmas Eve She was about 64 years old. Catherine Monvoisin, a close friend of Louis XIV. She delivered poisons, and held black masses, against payment. Burnt with some others on the Place de la Grève in Paris, in Maria Holl, also known as The Witch of Nördlingen. She was one of the first women to withstand being tortured during her Witch-trial of 1593/1594. Activities for you to do Read about the people on this page. Choose one and see what information you can find out about her. Now take the information you have found out, and compare it to the myths and fables surrounding witches FACT MYTH Anna Schnidenwind, one of the last women to be publicly executed for Witchcraft in Germany. Burnt after being strangled, on 24th April,1751 Anna Göldi (or Göldin). Last witch to be executed in Europe. This happened in Switzerland, in the summer of Anne Boleyn was accused of being a witch and was said to have had a large mole on her neck and a sixth finger. Who was Ann Boleyn? Why is she important in history? Grade 5-6 Worksheets