Popular & Elite Belief
What do you think was James’ purpose in writing Dæmonologie? What effect do you think James writing Daemonologie had on the witch trials, if any? Why?
How effective is Daemonologie as a source for the study of elite views of witchcraft in Scotland in the early modern period? Why is/isn’t it a useful source? What about popular belief? Please use specific examples from the text.
Gender
Do you think Malleus Maleficarum accurately reflects society’s attitudes to women at this time? What role might it have played in the witch-hunts in Europe? What about in Scotland?
Why do you think 14% of those accused of witchcraft in Scotland were men? Do explanations as to why so many men were accused change your interpretation of why the witch-hunts happened? If so, how? If not, why not?
