Madison Reid
Deputy Headmistress
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Join date : 2010-07-04
Age : 29
Location : Tending to the task at hand.
 | | Subject: "Witch Burnings, Part 2" History of Magic Class, (OWL and NEWT levels) Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:46 pm | |
| "Witch Burnings, Part 1"
---Textbook:
- Spoiler:
Unit 2
_______
Ancient History
_______Witch Burnings Part 2The first series of witch-hunts began in the 1400’s. The most famous witch of that time was French Heroine, Joan of Arc. Joan was one of the most powerful witches of that time. It was the English that arrested her and burned her at the stake. Though they found no evidence of witchcraft, she was charged nonetheless. Reason being was that witchcraft was the only charge the English could make that the French wouldn’t argue. At the time, for France to demand Joan of Arc back, they would have been viewed by the world as harboring a witch. France could not afford the risk politically or socially.
Being a witch, Joan of Arc was never in danger of being burned alive. Every witch is capable of performing a Flame Freezing Charm that enables a person to stand in fire without being burned. All Joan felt was an enjoyable tickling sensation. In order to continue the illusion of being burned alive, the witch screamed in agony and pretended to die. Once everyone left, the witch simply removed herself from the stake.
One witch, Wendelin the Weird, enjoyed being burned at the stake so much, that she allowed herself to be caught practicing witchcraft no less than forty-seven times. At times, she didn’t even pretend to burn, and merely giggled at the tickling sensation.
Witch-hunts thrived across Spain, Scotland, Italy, France, and Germany throughout the 1700’s. Between 1484 and 1782 the Christian Church killed over 300,000 women accused of being witches. Nearly sixty-five percent of those women were actually muggles that were unable to protect themselves.
The witch-hunts came to a head in Salem, Massachusetts, United States of America, in the early 1690’s. What started as one sick child, with an apparent case of fits and seizures, soon turned into a town where numerous children were becoming ill in much the same way. Salem was a town divided into two parts, one as a prosperous city, and the other as a farming village. The Villagers won their right to own and operate a Church, and they elected Samuel Parris as leader. It was Parris that sparked the murdering spree of twenty-five innocent people. Parris wanted the city of Salem to give much more to the Villagers, and was very outspoken with these demands. Friction grew, and in 1691 the city stopped contributing to Parris’ salary.
It was Parris’ own daughter, Betty, who first learned the mysterious ways that could easily be associated with witchcraft. Tituba, a slave from Barbados, told fascinating tales to Betty, Abigail Williams, and a few others. In February of 1692, Betty Parris began to have uncontrollable fits and outbursts. Abigail Williams and Ann Putnam soon followed in the same fashion.
The Villagers turned to witchcraft as an explanation of the girls’ condition. Under pressure, the girls proclaimed Sarah Good, Sarah Osburn, and Tituba as the ones who had bewitched them. The three accused, already being outsiders, were quickly confronted with the situation. While Osburn refused to confess to anything, Good fingered Osburn as a witch. But it was Tituba who fanned the flame. She wove tails of the devil bidding her to do his evil tasks. She told stories of black dogs, red cats, and yellow birds. She then went on to say that there were others, far more devout than her, others that were intent on destroying the Puritan way. With that
the witch-hunt began.
Below is a list of the nineteen men and women hung as witches:
Bridget Bishop
George Burroughs
Martha Carrier
Martha Corey
Mary Easty
Sarah Good
Elizabeth Howe
George Jacobs, Sr.
Susannah Martin
Rebecca Nurse
Alice Parker
Mary Parker
John Proctor
Ann Pudeator
Wilmott Redd
Margaret Scott
Samuel Wardwell
Sara Wildes
John Willard
Giles Corey was pressed to death after refusing to plead guilty or not guilty to the charges of witchcraft. After spending five months in jail, along with his wife Martha, Giles died on September 22, 1962. After him, only eight more accused witches were hung.
The following are accused witches that died while in prison. It is reported that up to thirteen others also died in prison:
Sarah Osborn
Roger Toothaker
Lyndia Dustin
Ann Foster
The madness finally started to end in October of 1962 when Reverend Increase Mather admonished his own son, Cotton, for the witch-hunts. In his own words, Reverend Mather believed, “It were better, that ten suspected witches should escape than one innocent person be condemned.” When Governor William Phips own wife was accused he called an end to the special board of inquiry. By 1963, all imprisoned witches were pardoned and the hysteria came to an end.
Over twenty-five innocent people lost their lives. Not a single real witch or wizard actually perished in the witch-hunts. Reasons are simple, as most accused witches were hung. If a real witch found herself in this position, she could easily use a hover charm and allow herself to levitate slightly above the rope. While appearing as though strangling, she would play to the crowd and eventually appear as if dead. Other accused witches often had their arms and legs tied, and they were then thrown into a body of water. The test was simple, if the accused floated, they were a witch; if they sunk, then they were innocent. Witches often used gillyweed to give themselves gills or transfigured into an aquatic animal.
Witches did not perish in the witch-hunts, only innocent muggles. Whenever suspected of being a witch, most used memory charms on the muggle that suspected them. This easily covered up any trace of their magical abilities. It is for these reasons that the witch-hunts were merely a massacre of innocent people.
Expectations
- Every lesson will heavily revolve around the text book, so students should have their books present for every class.
- Students shall not disrupt the class. Punishment for doing so will be held at the discretion of the Professor.
- If addressed, students are expected to have an intelligible response.
- No Excuses will be accepted for incomplete homework. No late work will be accepted, either.
- If the student requires the Professor's attention after hours, an appointment must be requested by owl at least a week in advance. Even then, it is the Professor's choice whether reschedule the appointment if need be.
Grading System
- Outstanding- Far beyond the expectations of the assignment or test, and containing no errors. The completed assignment is also organized well, and contains no damages such as rips, tears, or creases on the parchment. The parchment itself, in other words, is at a professional standard. Outstanding grades are worth 30 House points.
- Exceeds Expectations- Somewhat above the expectations of the assignment, and containing few errors. The completed assignment is also organized well, and contains very few damages, such as rips, tears, or creases on the parchment. The parchment itself, in other words, is very neat and clean. Exceeds Expectations grades are worth 15 House Points.
- Acceptable- The assignment has met the standards of the task, and may or may not contain errors. The assignment basically contains the bare minimum. Acceptable grades are worth 10 House Points.
- Poor- The assignment is below the expectations of the set assignment, and/or contain many errors. Poor grades receive no House Points.
- Troll- The assignment was not turned in at all. Troll grades receive no House Points.
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"In this class, whether it relates to the lesson or not, I will always answer all your questions to the best of my ability.
I will not try to conceal the truth from you, as this textbook may wish for me to.
Some of you, when you graduate, will find decent jobs, some of you may go about keeping your heads down, simply enduring the war that I will not leave unacknowledged.
And some of you... may join the Death Eater cause. I will not seek to sway your decisions, nor tell you right from wrong. I would not even ask you to work hard in this class unless you choose to do so.
All I desire for you, is that by the end of this year, you will leave this class with your own opinions. Not shaped by me, or your parents, or even your friends.
I want you all to know, that you have the power over your own choices."
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Jett Winters
6th Year
Posts : 203
Stats : 168
Join date : 2013-07-07
| | Subject: Re: "Witch Burnings, Part 2" History of Magic Class, (OWL and NEWT levels) Tue Aug 13, 2013 5:06 pm | |
| The History of Magic classroom was nearly empty as Jett walked in. He was a little early for the class so he was not surprised when the only person he found was the professor.
"Good afternoon Professor Reid," he said brightly as he took his seat once again in the front row. It was easier for him to focus when he could look straight ahead to the professor and not have rows of heads to stare at. Pulling out his text book Jett made himself comfortable and began reading the chapter they were dealing with today. It had been his plan to be here early to read and then be able to participate fully in the lesson without having to take the time to scan his text book like the others. | |
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