King James VI Witchcraft

• Witches


  • Embedded in society across England and Scotland
  • Made a pact with the devil to damn King James VI as he is chosen by God
• Location of accused witches

  Close to the main palace King James lived, close proximity means more fear for his murder
• Devil


  Powerful and malevolent, so these witches will stop at nothing to kill King James
• King James


  • Firm believer in God, who is stronger than the devil, and so he will protect him
  • God's representative on earth so he will not be harmed
• James' eagerness to be rid of these witches shows that he was focused to rid witchcraft before any damage could be done to himself
• God protects kings james on land and on the sea so he will be safe on voyages
• James' enthusiasm and his works of daemonologie in 1597 led to witch hunting becoming an act of honour to serve the king. More accusations occurred in Scotland and areas in England.
• James' voyage to collect Anne of Denmark was suddenly struck three times by high tides and bad weather so had to remain in Denmark for a year. Blamed Witchcraft.
• James' suspicious nature came from when his mother, Mary QofS, was executed for treason. His trust for others was low and was suspicious with all forms of attacks to his life.
• Influenced by the witchcraft beliefs in denmark, which coincided with the North Berwick trials
• The impact of the use of torture, the continued use and threat of which led to Gilly Duncan's naming of accomplices, meant that there were a number of accusations