Witchcraft in the Middle Ages - Report Example

Witchcraft in the middle Ages Introduction Various things in the societies characterized medieval period. In this period, witchcraft was more pronounced in various societies around the globe especially in Europe. The term witchcraft has been used to infer use of certain initiatives to seek the assistance of the supernatural powers in resolving problems, in societies (World of Wicca 1). These problems are believed not possible to solve using other means. The process may involve rehearsing prayers and performing certain rituals in a specific format or craft (World of Wicca 1). These are believed to yield results by those who practice them. Witchcraft has existed since antiquity, but this period has been associated with the rise of practices. Witchcraft was believed to offer a solution to natural and personal issues that could not be explained (World of Wicca 1). The prominence of the practice in this period is associated with limited knowledge in human and lack of the solution to most of the challenges facing man in the period (World of Wicca 1). The presence of these challenges and problems confused majority of people that existed during this period. The struggle to get desired results led to practitioners of witchcraft to result to extreme practices (World of Wicca 1). The practices sometimes involved the use of blood or invoking evil spirits for assistance (World of Wicca 1). In this time, witchcraft was also used in gaining power and hence associated with nefarious intentions. This led to branding of witches or wizards as agents of evil or satanic powers (World of Wicca 1). This led to a huge difference between the witches and the church that was gaining prominence in the period. The paper seeks to address the uses, punishment, perception, and trials and example of witchcraft in middle ages. Uses of Witchcraft in middle Ages The use of witchcraft was common in this period. Mostly, witches were used in the society to address various issues and challenges that faced society in the period. Most of these challenges were beyond human understanding and control. In this period, it was significantly used to predict and manage events that were beyond human control and prediction. These events included famines, rains, floods, epidemics, and some personal issue (World of Wicca 1). The witchcraft was also used to provide ecclesiastic powers (World of Wicca 1). This was relied upon in commanding influence in designing policies of kings and rulers that existed in this period (World of Wicca 1). This was a main reason for condemnation of the witches. Moreover, witches were viewed as possible to make weather in this period. For example, they were believed to be able to raise and prevent storms at will (Mastin 1). This made them command respect, fear and hatred in the rural areas. Witches were also capable of healing people (Mastin 1). This occurred through spells, ointments and concoctions and forecasting the future through clairvoyance (Mastin 1). They were also relied upon in predicting of the future. Some were also hired to curse enemies in the society (Mastin 1). On the other hand, the witches were used in the society to help in regaining of stolen property (Hutton 77). The spell that was effective for this practice was known as Norse runic spell. The witches were also believed to play a significant role in the harming of society. They were accused of death, destruction of property, and harming people physically (Hutton 78). Punishment of Witches in the medieval Period In this period, the witches and those that practiced witchcraft were blamed on several challenges that faced society of the period. Most of the problems ranged from adverse weather, the failure of crops, disease outbreaks and miserable luck (Bellerby 1). As a result, members of the society punished those believed to be involved in the practice severely. The most common form of punishment was through persecution. This was carried out even when there was little evidence to support the assertions. Mostly, women bared the brunt as they were commonly the prime suspect. Even those that tried to help others by use of plants and herbs in cures could be accused and put on trial for witchcraft (Bellerby 1). Usually, this led to their persecution. The fear for witchcraft was more common in Western Europe. This was significantly seen in the thirteen and fourteen century. This was the period trials were common in Europe. Those practicing witchcraft were linked to the devil and fear from public caused authorities to hunt down and punish those that practiced witchcraft (Bellerby 1). Most of those accused of this practice were found guilty, and they were tortured to extract a confession (Bellerby 1). The most common form of punishment was through burning of the suspects at the stake (Medieval Information 1). Later, the condemnation was through hanging and torture. However, the method of punishment varied from one state to another. Trials of Witches The witchcraft trials began in Europe. This was a common thing in the mid-1400s. The trial involved torture. Mostly this was on heretics assumed of magical pacts (Linder 1). Some of the defendants made alarming confessions. Some acknowledged flying on poles and animals to attend assemblies lead by Satan appearing in goat and other animals (Linder 1). There were also defendants that admitted using spells on their neighbors, having sex with animals, or causing storms (Linder 1). One of the significant trials was on Danish women believed to cause storm that bedeviled King James (Linder 1). The king authorized their torture. Example of witchcraft in the middle Ages There are several traces of witchcraft practices in the middle ages. This is more evident in believes of the societies that existed in the period. A classical example is in England where there was a belief that the “imp” carried out the witches command (Sommerville 1). The other example is meeting in covens on the Sabbath to celebrate black masses (Sommerville 1). Moreover, there was also association of the birthmarks with witches. There was also a belief in Europe that a witch could transform in a hare or cat in the period (Sommerville 1). The trials and persecution in the period is also a classical example of the prominence of witchcraft over the period especially in Europe. The ordinary people also believed in bewitchment and possession despite the condemnation from the church (Sommerville 1). They also believed there must be ways of overcoming the devil work (Sommerville 1). What was witchcraft seen as at the time and how was it perceived There was a way in which witchcraft was seen and perceived in this period. In the period, witchcraft was seen as a solution to unpredictable and unmanageable issue of the period (World of Wicca 1). This was the case in the beginning of the period. However, at the end of the period there was a change due to rise of Christianity. Witchcraft began to be associated with all sort of evils and calamities (World of Wicca 1). It was also blamed on problems that were inflicting human beings. This led to its condemnation in society followed by persecution of the practitioners (World of Wicca 1). Conclusion It is clear that middle ages was a period that the practice and believe in witchcraft flourished. This was in a desperate attempt to provide answers to challenges facing human being in the period. The practice led to solving some of problems such as diseases, love issues, and unpredictable weather. On the other hand, the rise of Christianity served a significant blow to these practices. They began to be associated with evil and this led to various forms of punishment. This led to a number of trials in Europe. However, the practice continues to take place in various parts of the world. Works Cited Bellerby, Rachel. “Witchcraft in the Middle Ages.” Suite.io. Web. 04 May 2013. < https://suite.io/rachel-bellerby/1wma204>. Hutton, Ronald. “Stephen Mitchell’s Witchcraft And Magic In The Nordic Middle Ages An Assessment And Appreciation.” Ebscohost.com. Web. 04 May 2013. < http://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=951828e8-e731-4a8c-953c-b358992a0c44%40sessionmgr110&vid=1&hid=104>. Linder, Douglas. “A Brief History of Witchcraft Persecutions before Salem.” Umkc.edu. Web. 04 May 2013. < http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/salem/witchhistory.html>. Mastin, Luke. “History of Witchcraft - Medieval Period.” Witchcraftandwitches.com. Web. 04 May 2013. < http://www.witchcraftandwitches.com/history_medieval.html>. Medieval Information. “Medieval Wicca and Sorcery-Witchcraft, Satanism, Practices-Dark Ages.” Medieval-castles.org. Web. 04 May 2013. < http://medieval-castles.org/index.php/medieval_wicca_aamp_sorcery_witchcraft_s>. Sommerville, J.P. “Witchcraft.” Wisc.edu. Web. 04 May 2013. . World of Wicca. “Medieval Witchcraft.” Witchcraft.com.au. Web. 04 May 2013. < http://www.witchcraft.com.au/medieval-witchcraft.html>. Read More