Malicious History: An Investigation into King James VI of Scotland, I of England, and His Place in the History of Witch Hunts - Softcover

Kasti, Joe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1630224413 ISBN 13: 9781630224417

Verlag: Speedy Publishing LLC, 2013

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Reseña del editor:

In the summer of 1590, shortly after returning from Denmark with his new Queen, James VI of Scotland later James I of England, made the decision to attend the trials of several accused witches from the small kirk of North Berwick. The accused attempted to murder James by using witchcraft to sink the ship upon which he had journeyed. James was well known for his curiosity and intellect. This was an opportunity that he could not pass up and so, he attended the trials. This single act would forever change how James would be viewed for centuries to come. Thereafter, James was linked to witch hysteria and steadily gained the reputation of a witch persecutor. According to many historians, James’ attendance of the trials was the beginning of the revitalization of witch hysteria, which had been dying out over the last twenty years of English history. He gained the reputation of an obsessed king determined to find and persecute witches. This seems to be the accepted place for James in history. However, it leaves several unanswered questions. Is this image of James as a witch hunter an accurate portrayal? Is his reputation based on available evidence or imagination? If his reputation is undeserved, then how and why did it develop in such a manner? Finally, what evidence is there to contradict those beliefs? This thesis attempts to explore James’ place in history as a witch hunter and the truthfulness of his given reputation. Chapter One presents evidence concerning James’ reign in Scotland. Chapter Two explores his authorship of Daemonologie in the Form of a Dialogue. Chapter Three investigates James’ influence on the creation of the statutes against witchcraft. Chapter Four focuses on how contemporary writers misconstrued James’ involvement in witch hysteria. Chapter Five questions the trials, public sentiments and political actions revolving around witchcraft. Chapter Six reviews the history of the Statute of 1604 and finally, Chapter Seven looks into how King James handled fraudulent cases of witchcraft. The hoped for outcome of this thesis is that the evidence will enlighten the reader as to the reality of James’ reputation as a witch hunter, proving that he was not an avid hunter of witches nor the instigator of witch hysteria in the late 16th and early 17th century Scotland and England, respectively.

Biografía del autor:

Joe Kasti is a student of history during the time period that witch hunts were prevalent. He shares his Master of Arts Thesis research that will challenge the status quo that has been written for centuries about King James VI of Scotland & I of England. This is Joe's only thesis body of work but you will enjoy the details of the time period as only seen through a scholar's eyes.

Über diese Auflage

• Verlag: Speedy Publishing LLC
• Erscheinungsdatum: 2013
• ISBN 10: 1630224413
• ISBN 13: 9781630224417
• Einband: Tapa blanda
• Auflage: 1
• Anzahl der Seiten: 150