The Witch Hunts of 1645-1647
This section explores the Witch Hunts of 1645-1647 and Matthew Hopkins’ role as Witchfinder General. The early modern period in England was a time of profound political upheaval and religious tension, especially during the English Civil War (1642-1651). This conflict, fought between the Royalists (supporters of King Charles I) and Parliamentarians, was centred on disputes over the powers of the monarchy and government. Following the defeat of King Charles I’s army, the monarchy was abolished, and the king was executed in 1649. The aftermath of this war, combined with the death of the king, brought about significant political and social changes that contributed to widespread insecurity and fear across England.
This period of uncertainty and disruption resulted in increased levels of paranoia, particularly concerning witchcraft. The anxiety and disarray felt by many people during these turbulent years led to a surge in witchcraft accusations, which were taken extremely seriously in early modern England.
Witchcraft Accusations
Witchcraft was seen as a major threat to the social order in early modern England, especially in rural communities. Witchcraft had been considered a criminal offence since the Witchcraft Act of 1542, which made it punishable by death. This law was enacted after a growing fear of witches, who were believed to have the power to harm others using supernatural forces. Many people, particularly in rural areas, feared that witches could cause illness, crop failures, and the death of livestock through malevolent magic.
Between 1645 and 1647, a particularly intense period of witch hunting took place in East Anglia, where a large number of accusations came before the authorities. This was the largest witch hunt in English history in terms of both the number of accusations and the geographical area affected. It was a time of heightened fear and distrust, and approximately 250 accusations were brought before local courts, with around 100 people executed for witchcraft. Overall, between 1542 and 1736, around 1,000 people were executed in England for practising witchcraft, with a disproportionate number of victims being women.
Matthew Hopkins: Witchfinder General
At the heart of the witch hunts of 1645-1647 was Matthew Hopkins, a lawyer who would come to be known as the Witchfinder General. Hopkins began his witch-hunting activities in 1645, and was soon joined by his assistant John Stearne. The two men were responsible for identifying, accusing, and securing confessions from individuals they claimed were witches.
Hopkins was not an official representative of the government, but he operated with considerable influence and authority. He travelled through East Anglia, specifically targeting areas such as Suffolk, Norfolk, and Essex, where he claimed to uncover large numbers of witches. Hopkins's methods were controversial, as he would often force people to confess through brutal interrogation techniques, which included prolonged periods of sleep deprivation and starvation.
He also relied on highly questionable 'evidence' to prove someone's guilt. One of the most infamous of these methods was the claim that certain physical marks, such as scars, moles, or spots, were signs of a "Devil's mark"—a mark supposedly left by a witch’s familiar (a supernatural animal that supposedly sucked the witch's blood). Hopkins argued that these marks were proof that a person had made a pact with the Devil. However, many of the accused women were poor and worked in harsh conditions, meaning that their marks were simply the result of physical labour, not witchcraft.
A further technique used by Hopkins to identify witches was the “swimming” test. Accused witches were often bound and thrown into water, with the belief that if they floated, it was evidence of their guilt. This method was based on the theory that water, considered pure and holy, would reject witches because of their unholy nature. Those who drowned were often deemed innocent, though it was a cruel and deadly practice.
Hopkins’s witch hunts were responsible for the deaths of over 100 people, many of whom were women, elderly, poor, or vulnerable. The majority of the accused were women who lived on the margins of society, with the most common victims being elderly women, widows, and those without strong social support. 117 people were accused of witchcraft in Sudbury, for example, alone. Once accused, many were subjected to the same inhumane treatment—public humiliation, torture, and execution.
The Spread of Witch Hunts and Hopkins’s Methods
Hopkins’s witch-hunting efforts were not limited to just one area. He and Stearne were employed by local authorities to investigate witchcraft accusations, and they were paid for every successful conviction they secured. This provided them with both the motivation and the resources to continue their search for witches. The witch hunts in East Anglia spread rapidly, causing widespread fear throughout the region, and many people were falsely accused in the growing hysteria.
As the witch hunts expanded, the role of Matthew Hopkins became more infamous. The fear of witches became a self-perpetuating cycle; the more accusations there were, the more witches were claimed to be present, and the more desperate people became to find and punish them. The panic caused by the witch hunts also exacerbated social tensions, especially in an environment already weakened by the political unrest of the English Civil War.
However, in 1647, Hopkins’s influence began to wane. He disappeared from historical records, and there are no records that indicate why or how his witch-hunting career ended. Some historians believe that Hopkins’s role in the witch hunts may have been partly discredited, and it is possible that his methods and the sheer number of executions caused public opinion to turn against him.
Reasons for the Increase in Witchcraft Accusations
Historians continue to debate the reasons behind the dramatic increase in witchcraft accusations between 1645 and 1647. One of the most significant factors was the social and political instability caused by the English Civil War. The chaos of the war, the death of King Charles I, and the overthrow of the monarchy created an environment in which fear and superstition thrived. People looked for scapegoats to explain the misfortunes they faced, and the witch trials became a way of channelling their anxiety.
The increase in scientific knowledge in the late 17th century, known as the Enlightenment, also played a role in the decline of witchcraft accusations. During this period, scientists such as Isaac Newton began to promote rational thought based on evidence and experimentation, which gradually displaced belief in the supernatural. As scientific explanations for natural phenomena replaced old superstitions, witchcraft accusations became less common.
By the early 18th century, the fear of witches and witch hunts had largely faded, with the last recorded execution for witchcraft in England taking place in 1716. The growing influence of rational thought and scepticism about the existence of witches ultimately led to a decline in witch hunts and the end of the widespread fear of witches.
Legacy of the Witch Hunts
The witch hunts of 1645-1647, particularly the role of Matthew Hopkins, serve as a reminder of the dangers of mass hysteria, superstition, and the persecution of vulnerable groups in society. While Hopkins may have been acting out of a belief in the supernatural, his actions had devastating consequences for many innocent people. The witch hunts ultimately contributed to a broader rethinking of the role of authority, justice, and rationality in society, paving the way for the development of modern scientific and legal practices.
Today, the witch hunts of the early modern period stand as a tragic example of how fear and ignorance can lead to widespread injustice, and the story of Matthew Hopkins remains a symbol of the dangers of unchecked power and superstition in times of crisis.