Witch Hunts and Religious Tensions in Early 17th Century England

Historical Context

• King James Bible: Published a year before the arrests in Pendle.
  • Contains the phrase "thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."

King James I and Witch Hunts

• Background:

  • James I's connection to witch hunts.
  • Personal experiences with witch trials in North Berwick.
  • Belief in witches conspiring against him, including an attempt to sink his honeymoon boat.

• Demonology Book:

  • Authored by King James I, unique among heads of state.
  • Focuses on the nature of Hell and witch hunting.
  • Popular, concise, and scholarly piece.
  • Mandate for Brits to hunt witches.

• Influence of Presbyterianism:

  • James influenced by Presbyterian ministers.
  • Raised with stories of the devil’s power, instilling fear from a young age.
  • Demonology reflects these fears, though they may seem paranoid.

Political Climate and Paranoia

• Religious Tensions:

  • Seven years prior, King James I nearly killed in Gunpowder Plot.
  • Guy Fawkes and Catholic conspirators involved.

• James's Paranoia:

  • Reasonable fear of conspiracies, given personal and familial history.
  • Father strangled and blown up, mother executed, multiple kidnapping and murder attempts.
  • Catholic subjects plot against him; historical context of fear and tension.

Lancashire and Religious Tests

• Catholic Loyalty Test:

  • March 1612, directive to compile a list of those refusing communion.
  • Aimed to identify and act against Lancashire Catholics.
  • Seen as a loyalty test to the Church of England.

• Roger Noll's Role:

  • Involvement in compiling the list.
  • Loyalty expected on Good Friday 1612, all should attend church.