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Witchcraft and magic

The Elizabethans believed in magic – both good and bad. Many communities had 'cunning folk' who - it was believed – could cure disease, provide charms and love spells, foretell the future, find lost property and counter 'black' or 'dark' magic.

Dark magic

Dark magic was the domain of witches – people who had supernatural powers because they had made a pact with the Devil. Witchcraft was blamed for all sorts of bad fortune. If your animals got sick? A witch. Your crops failed? Witch. Your milk went sour or your apples rotted? Witch. They believed that witches had 'familiars' - an animal they could turn into so they could spy on people and move around without being seen. The most popular familiars were cats and toads, which is why witches are often depicted with these animals.

The majority of people who were accused of witchcraft were women - usually poor, single women who had nobody to protect them. Many people also believed that women were spiritually 'weaker' than men, and therefore easier for the Devil to win over. Illustrations from the time show us what people imagined 'witches Sabbaths' to look like. They usually involve potions bubbling in cauldrons, witches flying on broomsticks or on the backs of goats and sometimes worshipping the Devil.

Once someone was accused of witchcraft, they were tested, usually by 'ordeal'. One of the common ways was to 'duck' the accused under water. They believed that water was purifying, so if the person floated, it was because the water had rejected them, and they were guilty. If they sank, they were innocent. Of course, this meant that many 'innocent' people drowned!

Elizabeth believed in witches, as most people did in the 16th century, but she wasn't as worried about them as some later monarchs such as James I were. However, she was concerned enough to pass the Witchcraft Act of 1563, which made witchcraft a felony. This meant that once a 'witch' was found she would be killed.