CASE STUDIES

• When was the Gunpowder Plot?

  1605
• James I's failure to properly end Catholic persecution led to previous plots against him.
• After James I passed anti-Catholic laws, Robert Catesby and other Catholics rented a cellar under the House of Lords and filled it with 36 barrels of gunpowder.
• Guy Fawkes was to ignite the explosion, killing all in Parliament.
• In addition to the explosion, there would be an uprising in the Midlands, where James I's daughter would be kidnapped and controlled as the new Queen.
• Lord Monteagle received an anonymous letter warning him not to attend parliament, which he handed to Robert Cecil.
• Robert Cecil didn't investigate until the night before the plot, when he sent out two searches.
• Guy Fawkes was arrested and was loyal to the other plotters until he was tortured.
• A few days after Guy Fawkes' arrest, four other plotters were killed.
• By January 1606, all plotters had been caught and executed.
• When were the Witch Hunts?

  1645-1647
• The Witch hunts happened because of Social Changes:

  • More women widowed/alone (husbands fighting in Civil War)
  • More 'strangers' as people began to travel for work
• The Witch hunts happened because of Economic Problems:

  • The Civil War and poor harvests affected many
  • People began to look for a scapegoat to pin the blame on
• The Witch hunts happened because of the Influence of Individuals:

  • James I promoted witch hunting and even wrote a book on the topic (Daemonologie)
  • People like Matthew Hopkins stirred up fear through writings, as well as taking part in hunts
• What title did Matthew Hopkins give himself?

  Witchfinder General
• Witch hunts were concentrated in certain areas, such as East Anglia.
• Hundreds were accused of witchcraft and executed.
• Those accused of Witchcraft were tortured (eg stopped from sleeping) for confessions.
• Witches were hung and the Gunpowder Plotters were Hung, Drawn and Quartered (high treason).