So in my previous post about Marilyn and Arthur I explained I am teaching The Crucible in my English 11 class. I am so fascinated with the Salem Witch Trials, that I thought I might share some information about them with you. I hope I don’t bore you, but that you are as interested in this terrible time in history as I am. Hope you are having an amazing Saturday!
Some FAQ’s about the trials:
1. What caused the girls’ behavior?
This is a complex question. There are many theories to explain the “fits” of the young girls who accused so many of practicing witchcraft. Among the theories are adolescent hysteria and ergot poisoning, however there is no definite answer.
2. Were only women accused of practicing witchcraft? Actually, men were accused as well. Five men were convicted and hanged, and one man Giles Corey, was pressed to death for refusing to cooperate with the court.
3. Where are the victims buried? This question remains unanswered. Because of the nature of their alleged crime, victims were not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground. Tradition has it that families came to Gallows Hill to claim their relatives and buried their bodies privately. A memorial honoring the victims of the trials was built in Salem in 1992.
4. What was the aftermath of the trials? Jurors and magistrates apologized; restitution was made to the victims’ families and a day of fasting and remembrance was instituted.
Timeline of the events:
January 20, 1692– Nine-year-old Elizabeth Parris and eleven-year-old Abigail Williams began to exibit strange behavior, such as blasphemous screaming, convulsive seizures, trance-like states and mysterious spells. Within a short time, several other Salem girls began to demonstrate similar behavior.
Late February– Pressured to identify the source of their affliction, the girls named three women, Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne. After this, several other townspeople began to come forward saying they were “bewitched.”
June 10– Bridget Bishop is the first to be hanged, and is the first official execution of the Salem Witch Trials. Her comments according to court transcript were: “I am no witch, I am innocent. I know nothing of it.”
July 19– Rebecca Nurse, Susannah Martin, Elizabeth Howe, Sarah Good, and Sarah Wildes were executed.
August 19– George Jacobs, Sr., Martha Carrier, George Burroughs, John Proctor, and John Willard were hanged on Gallows Hill.
October 8– After 20 people had been executed in the Salem witch hunt, the trials were ordered stopped and the magistrates went into hiding.
I’ve left some out, but you get the gist. What a terrible time in American history that we must learn from. Mass hysteria causes many problems. Here are some shots of the trial, and one from the film. Enjoy!
Take a look at my book on the Salem witch trials which is available free online at http://www.justiceatsalem.com
Bill
Has it been “learned from”, or just appearing now in a different form? i wonder….
It is almost incomprehensible to think that such ludicrous barbarity took place amongst a group of (seemingly civilized) people (the English Colonists) many of whom had (claimed to have) left Europe because they felt they were being unfairly persecuted. The hypocrisy of that point has always lingered with me whenever I think about the Salem Witch Trials.
Wishing you a serenely lovely evening, sweet dear!
♥ Jessica
We were in Massachusetts on Halloween visiting towns north of Boston. We passed by the turnoff to Salem. We thought Halloween might not be a good time to go there. I saw a comment you made on another blog that drew me here. I’ve enjoyed my visit.
Charlotte
I just LOVE your blog! I’ve been catching up on your last 2 wks posts since I have been away….what a great read, I can’t tell you how much I have enjoyed it! I love reading about all the Hollywood actresses, so many names I remember from watching movies with my mother when I was younger 🙂
Who doesn’t love the glamour of those days?! Wonderful!
It was discovered that one of my relatives with my exact full name was charged with witchcraft during this period in time. Poor thing had to produce a paper trial a mile long to prove her innocence. I was always fascinated with these trials, and in 8th grade I did a presentation on it, and dressed up like a witch in the end just for fun. Thanks for the interesting info Kori!
Take care,
Martha
Another good history lesson. Again, I learned a few new things.
The Salem Witch Trials were a horrific addition to our country’s history. I think “The Crucible” is a play that should be seen by many but, still, do people really realize how dangerous it was to live in that era? This is a great post! Thanks for sharing and have a great week!
i just stumbled across your page and i think you have a fantubous site 🙂
The Salem Witch Trails were one of my favorite History subjects! I’ve seen ‘The Crucible’ about 3 times now. I did not know men were also accused.
Sorry! I had fast fingers and had to repost.
I actually enjoyed reading the Crucible and always wanted to throttle those girls and their parents for raising such horrid children. It was a sad time in our history- that we who were founded on tolerance and religious freedom turned and persecuted others for no reason at all!
Nice review lesson for us and pictures-
Marie @
Lemondrop Vintage
This comment has been removed by the author.
I did a university course on the Salen Witch Trials. It was fascinating – it’s a subject I’ve always been interested in. And even though we examined a lot of the history behind it, we also studied literature inspired by it.
Yes me too! I’ve always been intriqued by this event of mass hysteria. It’s exactly the same premise as the faerytale The Emperors New Clothes by hans C. Andersen.
I’m also intrigued by Daniel Day Lewis who lives not far from where I am in Dublin well ok maybe 30 or 40miles away the City in Wicklow as far as I know now-I mean he wouldn’t be letting me know if he decided to MOVE now would he?!mmm Fine man!
Rainey
Love your posts they’re so engaging & quirky at times which is waht I like!
I have been fascinated as well with these stories.I would love to go to salem this summer for a trip,lol.Find out more about it.Thanks for sharing!
I have always been fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials, enough to drag my husband to Salem on a road trip before we had children. Visited all the spots you spoke of and couldn’t get enough. At one of the museums dedicated to the Trials, they had reenactments of the actual trials, a must-see for anyone who is interested in that period.