Witchcraft in the Late Middle Ages - Essay Example

Daniel also notes that many false accusations could be made because the accusers were not subjected to penalties for false accusations because they were not the prosecutors. This system would only be effective when the accused gave a confession.

The acts of witchcraft left actual physical victims (afflicted by maleficium) and these were the point of interest for secular courts.

Cohn states that acceptance of witchcraft, magic, and demons came through the late middle age elite ruling, and it was politically influenced. Dennis has also mentioned the role politics played in the acceptance. He has also brought out an aspect of Pope Benedict's conflict and others such as wealthy Irish families, all of which set the stage for the witch-hunt that would follow.

After the adoption of these changes, a witch-hunt ensued shortly after. The witches were mostly executed. My tutor notes that the papal system was the institution that came up with the inquisitorial justice system. The judge would direct the case in a bid of finding the truth.

Cohn states that the first witch-hunt started in locations where the Waldensians were thought or known to be. Daniel notes that the persecution of the Waldensians led to the persecution of those who were not due to their heretical beliefs and common misconceptions. The Waldensian settlements were very remote in the Swiss and French Alps and played a big role in the initiation of the witch-hunts. Kelly notes that mass trials started, as a result, of Waldensian persecutions; to acquire the names of the heretics torture was applied. Each suspect could be tortured until they gave names of other accused heretics.

According to Cohn frequent and huge meetings by witches could take place with no or minor evidence through a mechanism known as night riding. Brooks notes that the mechanism matched the stereotype that existed and made it easier for those involved with trying and tracking down heretics. Dennis states that it enabled the witches to make night travels and attend meetings even at far distances from other witches. Kelly adds that it allowed them to participate in horrible acts such as maleficium, sermons and even feasts.