Daemonologie and King James VI of Scotland (Witchcraft in Britain)

United States
March 2, 2017 1:19am CST
Daemonologie is the only book written by a Monarch on the subject of witchcraft. King James VI would find himself utterly embroiled in the hysteria of Witchcraft. It would all start after going to retrieve his Bride from Denmark. Another Name that I want to mention, and which should be considered the first woman in Scotland to be accused of witchcraft, is Geillis Duncane. That name and the keyword "North Berwick" Witch Trial should provide you with some background on the matter of which I am going to discuss here. To keep this discussion as short as it possibly can, I will jump to after King James VI became King James I of England and Ireland. (Let me also provide the title "Witches : A Century of Murder" which can be found on netflix and which this story, as well as the extinuating circumstances can be found out about) Alizon Device was the eldest daughter within a family of healers. It was when she was walking within the woods that she would come across a Peddler. He ignored her, and this agitated her. She would curse under her breath, and this would unfold a horrible series of events. Now I have heard the story in two different ways. One says that she turned herself in, after the man fell down (and evidently had what we would recognize today as a stroke). Another version would say that the Peddler's son would happen upon the man and the man would accuse the woman. Either way, she would confess and also name the remainder of her family. Her youngest sister would give evidence in their trials. Now again, there is differing stories on how this came about. Regardless, the mother, brother and eldest daughter would be hung and the little girl would be spared. The little girl's name was Jeanette Device ( I believe the CE would be silent and the name would sound much more like the name Dubois). Testimony of children wasn't heard of back then, but because of extinuating circumstances (withcraft was a horrendous offense back then) she would be allowed to testify. I am not sure if the article of which I am about to provide a link to will have stated this, but the documentary I suggested above does... At any rate, A Jeanette Device would be tried and hung 20 years later for witchcraft. Whether or not this is the same little girl is unknown.
How a nine-year-old's evidence in a 17th Century witch trial led to 10 executions and influenced modern trials.
4 people like this
3 responses
@jstory07 (148807)
• Roseburg, Oregon
2 Mar 17
The information you gave is good. I will now go to the link.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43685)
• Denver, Colorado
2 Mar 17
I believe in it, but don't have a big interest in witchcraft. This sounds kind of interesting, though.
• United States
3 Mar 17
"Withcraft" in this time period is far different than what it is today. I am certain many of those accused were completely innocent. Any mark upon the body would be considered the devil's mark back then. A mole, age spot, scar, bruise, anything.
1 person likes this
@Poppylicious (11134)
• United Kingdom
2 Mar 17
If you want to talk about medieval witchcraft my brother is the expert. He has a PhD and everything. Even a book! He was on a programme a few years ago with a famous {in the UK} chap called Tony Robinson. He was a bit rubbish at being on the programme, bless him.
• United States
2 Mar 17
I've heard of Tony Robinson, but perhaps not the same guy your brother worked with. I can't say as I blame him for not being so good in front of cameras though.