Torture in Witchcraft

Exhibition Catalogue with an essay by Dr Karen von Veh, "Vindicating the Vilified: Majak Bredell's celebration of lost lives", and an essay by Dr Sarah Sik, "'What Dreams May Come': Envisioning the Witch's Body"

This thesis examines the connection between the personal and political ideologies of King James VI of Scotland, his involvement in the two mass witch panics which took place during 1590-1 and 1597, and the writing of his treatise, Daemonologie, all of which occurred at a time of religious, social and political turmoil during the late sixteenth century. King James believed in the theory of divine right, and that he was accountable only to God. This belief led to conflict between James and his Kirk, with the Presbyterian ministers overtly questioning his ability to rule effectively. The witch-hunts which occurred in 1590-1 reflect James’ reaction to this conflict, and illustrate his ability to manipulate the existing events in order to further his own aims; namely to reinforce his divine right to rule, as well as assert the legitimacy of his throne. James’ treatise, Daemonologie, which is unique in that it is the only work of its kind written by an early modern European monarch, reflects both his involvement in the witch trials, as well as his views regarding kingship. Ultimately, James’ involvement in the trials and the writing of Daemonologie served to affirm his authority by underlining his belief in his God-given right to rule, and legitimized his unstable regime by reinforcing his authority over both the Kirk and his government. During the course of this research, numerous sixteenth-century documents, including personal correspondence, trial records and contemporary accounts were examined in order to determine the many intricacies connecting James, the witch trials, and Daemonologie, as well as the complex nature of their relationship. This thesis is organized chronologically, with individual sections highlighting the events which gave rise to the witch panics, the political climate at the time, the trials, and Daemonologie itself.

This is a draft of a chapter that will (hopefully) appear in a handbook on law and religion edited by colleagues in Cardiff's law school. It is intended as an introduction for those with a law background. Comments are very welcome!

Doubting Christianity: the Church and Doubt, ed. by Frances Andrews, Charlotte Methuen and Andrew Spicer, 2016

The theory of diabolical witchcraft attracted serious doubts from its first formulation early in the fifteenth century. This essay focuses on the writings of a few lay jurists and lawyers who rejected the witch-hunters' claim that witchcraft was made possible by the Devil's ability to operate physically in the world, and argued instead that such acts as consorting sexually with demons, or being carried through the air to the Sabbat, were visions and dreams produced by the Devil. In this heated debate, both doubters and believers frequently crossed their respective disciplinary boundaries as they sought to prove their point. The essay analyses the works of lawyers who confuted the witch-hunters' interpretation of key biblical passages, using them to demonstrate that witchcraft was physically impossible, and that believing otherwise was unsound from both a legal and a religious point of view. It argues that their specific contribution was notable both for its content, as a particularly radical attack on demonological theories, and in itself, as an explicit challenge to ecclesiastical hegemony in the discourse on metaphysics. It concludes that their doubts had a significant, if belated, impact on the Roman Inquisition's policy vis-à-vis witchcraft.