Ideas are from myself, this is just an interpretation and Jem's mind theorising. I have used the work of Wormald in 'James VI/I: complete collection of essays'. Further conveyed by Johan Hakelius in ‘William ‘Basher’ Dowsing iconoclast activist’.
Malcolm Gaskill, 2006. ‘Witchfinders: A Seventeenth Century English Tragedy'
Sociologists referred to is Jacobsen and Rosenthal, where I have used their field study ‘pigmolian in the classroom’ 1968. This study will explain the effects of Daemonologie on Early Modern society.
Developing on my last post and a question that came to me while reading about William Dowsing and placing this into context within regards to the question:
‘If James VI/I did not write Daemonologie 1597, then would have Christian Demonism become as big of an issue as it did during the English Civil War (1642-1652), this creating the scale of witch-hunts that were seen during this period.’
Christian demonism, during the early modern period tends to refer to individuals following spirituality roots rather than a conformist denomination of Christianity. This Christian Demonism is central to the work of James VI/I perpetuated by his ideas of superstition that he saw on the continent after bringing Anna of Denmark to Scotland. As Dunn-Hensley conveys Anna did have some elements of autonomy, though her power was dependent on her ability to child bear. These ideas are furthered by the witch-hunts he saw in Edinburgh 1591 and the infamous North Berwick witch trials 1596-1597, which are a turning point in themselves. As the North Berwick witch-trials helped James VI/I confirm his belief in the supernatural as displayed by the work of Daemonologie.
The legacy of Daemonologie was one that caused fear but was written in fear and paranoia by James VI/I. This creates a cycle of fear in Early Modern minds, though when crowned King of England after 1603, saw a decrease in this emphasis in paranoia. Though the legacy of Daemonologie lived long after his death in 1625. If Daemonologie had not been written and James VI/I may have not left such an impactful legacy with this text. Though recognising the legacy of Daemonologie is important when considering how impactful this was during the English Civil War, especially with the rise of the Puritans.
In the analysis I am taking a sociological approach, the fear of Christian Demonism is an early example of moral panic, whereby people are frightened that they are going to be persecuted and eventually vilified for going against the social norms of a society. In this case this is seen by the legacy Daemonologie which outlines this spirituality as going against the social consensus and this goes against God’s will.
This suggests that if James VI/I had not written ‘Daemonologie’, then there would not be the associated the label that came with Christian Demonism, a person given the self fulfilling prophecy label of a ‘witch’. This was by these witch hunters which continued the legacy of James VI/I which most presently came in periods of English instability as perpetuated through the English Civil War. This would mean that through torture methods, the victim at the hands of Dowsing (1640-46) and Stearne as well as most infamously Hopkins, would be more likely to confess due to this social phenomena. This illustrates how if ‘Daemonologie' wasn’t published then the likelihood of Christian Demonism having such a wide scale impact in society would have been lowered. Though as there was a need for a scapegoat the idea of the supernatural portrayed by the English Civil War as well as puritan ideals as conveyed by Dowsing, which highlights how women were othered as a result of the Puritans placing the blame on the idea of Christian Demonism. This meant that due to their interpretation and use of Daemonologie due to the view that Puritans had on women. This factor along with fear of the unknown in regards to the possible outcomes of the English Civil War. This meant that this led to the fact that a scapegoat needed to be created so that there was a reason for the events during the English Civil War. Further, these men needed money as war and conflict is not necessarily the best for individual people to make money, especially those lower down on the early modern hierarchy. This meant that the fear surrounding possible witches through pamphlets given out by Dowsing including Steerne (Stearne) and Hopkins. These witch finders instilled more fear into rural communities especially the example of the Hopkins and the Manningtree Witches. If there was the absence of the publication of Daemonologie, then the Puritans and witch finders would have less to accuse the victims on. As taking Daemonologie out of the equation, these individuals didn’t conform to the Christian narrative.
Finally, if Daemonologie had not been published, then there would have been a different narrative and legacy of James VI/I. The witch panic during 1646-47 may not have occurred due to Puritan fear over iconoclasm and superstition, which is highlighted by Dowsing. This would mean that twenty to twenty five years after his death, Demonologie’s importance was recognised and used during time of political turmoil, as previously highlighted by the English Civil War. Though the legacy of Daemonologie can be extended to when the last ‘witch’, was convicted in the early modern period in Britain in 1780. James VI/I’s writing based on fear set a precedent and altered the lives for many people due to the terrifying accusation that one could be a witch. One King’s fascination led to greater levels of paranoia and the concept that those who partook in this christian demonism would affect the lives of others negatively, led to vigilante and opportunistic accusations to save oneself from communicating with the devil.
Thank you for reading, I know this is a bit of a strange read, however this was a thought I wanted to explore and while I am feeling under the weather. Thought it was a good chance to write and share. :)
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