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Was Jennet A Witch Mass Hysteria

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The 1600s were a very religious and superstitious time. People’s faith in God was strong, however it also brought them great fear of devil. It was easy to accuse anyone who did not follow social standards of conspiring with the devil and practicing witchcraft. Once somebody had been accused of being a witch mass hysteria and panic ensued. This was the case in the Pendle Witch Trials. In 1612, Elizabeth Device was on trial for witchcraft. What evidence was there against her? Not only were neighbors accusing her, but her own nine year old daughter, Jennet Device, was accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft as well. Jennet had told an elaborate story that involved her mother being a witch, and then turned on her brother in the same manner. Both were found guilty. After years of being unheard of, Jennet's name came up again in witch trials, but this time she was on the opposite side. Much like the previous situation she was being accused by a young child. Was Jennet a witch, like the rest of her family, or the entire thing caused by false accusations, and mass hysteria?
Jennet Device was from a family known to have "cunning women;" a cunning woman was similar to a witch, however they used their powers for "good" purposes such as healing. Jennet's …show more content…

I have seen her spirit in the likeness of a brown dog, which she called Ball. The dog did ask what she would have him do and she answered that she would have him help her to kill. At 12 noon about 20 people came to our house - my mother told me they were all witches" (Thomas Potts, 1745). As she was accusing these people her brother, James, tried to testify with Jennet, but she readily turned and accused him of witchcraft as well. "James denounced his mother, Elizabeth too but Jennet then turned on her own brother and said he had been a witch for three years. She said she had seen his spirit kill three people"(Thomas Potts,

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