Women were persecuted as witches because they were on the margins of society. How far
do you agree?
Factor 1: Position in society
Beginning- Mostly older women and widows
Essex 87% aged 50 or over
Average age in cologne 50
East Anglia 20% of men away fighting
o Women more likely to be persecuted when they lacked the saving grace of a
male counterpart
Pendle witch trials 1612 mainly old women
Mainz 55.84% of the victims were married
In Switzerland women were persecuted to stop them stepping out of line
Often artist depictions dictate what we believe of witches, would use young
attractive women as perfect and old ugly women as witches
KICKBACK: in Würzburg over ¼ of the victims were children
R-KICKBACK: in England in 1613 a woman was accused for having three illegitimate children,
this was due to religious beliefs around a woman being pure and modest, believed that her
actions must be the result of the devil
E-KICKBACK: elderly women could no longer contribute economically to society so they
were accused
SYNOPTIC LINK: Venetian Inquisition younger victims due to the belief in ‘love magic’
Middle- Job Roles targeted
1728 Hungarian midwife was accused
Baden Baden Germany those involved in food preparation were accused
Suffolk dairy maids
Walpurga Hausmanin Germany 1587 accused of killing 40 children as she was a
midwife
Women in caregiving roles meant they were more open to accusations as they were
in positions to be able to enact harmful magic
A time where 1/5 of children died
E-KICKBACK: Accusations of these individuals may have instead been due to there economic
position, being economically independent and due to jealousy surrounding that instead
KICKBACK: However by the end of the period there was more scientific sceptism so women
in roles such as midwifery were no longer prosecuted
R-KICKBACK: In areas where the reformation had closed nunneries and convents there were
even more independent women living in communities
Factor 2: Economically marginalised
do you agree?
Factor 1: Position in society
Beginning- Mostly older women and widows
Essex 87% aged 50 or over
Average age in cologne 50
East Anglia 20% of men away fighting
o Women more likely to be persecuted when they lacked the saving grace of a
male counterpart
Pendle witch trials 1612 mainly old women
Mainz 55.84% of the victims were married
In Switzerland women were persecuted to stop them stepping out of line
Often artist depictions dictate what we believe of witches, would use young
attractive women as perfect and old ugly women as witches
KICKBACK: in Würzburg over ¼ of the victims were children
R-KICKBACK: in England in 1613 a woman was accused for having three illegitimate children,
this was due to religious beliefs around a woman being pure and modest, believed that her
actions must be the result of the devil
E-KICKBACK: elderly women could no longer contribute economically to society so they
were accused
SYNOPTIC LINK: Venetian Inquisition younger victims due to the belief in ‘love magic’
Middle- Job Roles targeted
1728 Hungarian midwife was accused
Baden Baden Germany those involved in food preparation were accused
Suffolk dairy maids
Walpurga Hausmanin Germany 1587 accused of killing 40 children as she was a
midwife
Women in caregiving roles meant they were more open to accusations as they were
in positions to be able to enact harmful magic
A time where 1/5 of children died
E-KICKBACK: Accusations of these individuals may have instead been due to there economic
position, being economically independent and due to jealousy surrounding that instead
KICKBACK: However by the end of the period there was more scientific sceptism so women
in roles such as midwifery were no longer prosecuted
R-KICKBACK: In areas where the reformation had closed nunneries and convents there were
even more independent women living in communities
Factor 2: Economically marginalised
