Witch crazy!!
"When shall we three meet again -
In thunder, lightning or in rain?
When the hurly-burly's done,
When the battle's lost and won"
"Double, double, toil and trouble;
Fire burn, and cauldron bubble."
These are the words of the three witches in Shakespeare's play Macbeth written 400 years ago.
We are still fascinated by witches. Just think of Hallowe'en, Harry Potter or even the latest Shrek movie.
When you think of a witch, is your image something like this?
The real story of witches is quite different, though.
The image of an old 'ugly' woman with a cackling voice, a broom and a cat dates back to the Middle Ages in Europe.
At that time strong, independent women were often seen as a threat.
In the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries thousands of innocent women (and some men) were accused of evil magic, brutally tortured and often burnt to death in public.
What kinds of women were accused and why?
What exactly were they supposed to have done?
Did they really do these things?
Who accused them?
Why were there more attacks at particular times, for example in the 1640s in England?
Find out whatever you can. Then write up your conclusions......
Experience the Salem witch trials for yourself.
Beliefs and superstitions - information and a worksheet.
Gendercide
The story of the Pendle witches of 1612.
Beliefs and superstitions - information and a worksheet.
Gendercide
The story of the Pendle witches of 1612.
Witch hunters.
Videos on You Tube - two excellent programmes.
The Pendle Witch Child
The Burning Times:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
Videos on You Tube - two excellent programmes.
The Pendle Witch Child
The Burning Times:
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6
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