Mental Illness and Eccentricity
Ultimately, accusations of witchcraft were based on fear and prejudice. Any individual who stood out from the crowd or did not conform to the social norm was at risk if being judged a witch. Sadly, this meant many individuals suffering from mental illnesses or who exhibited eccentric behaviors because of age or infirmity were at risk. Such people included those afflicted with epilepsy, Schizophrenia, or age-related dementia. According to the National Institutes of Health, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services “a large number of the alleged witches and possessed persons who were burned probably had visible mental disturbances.”
Odd behavior in women was particularly suspected. The Malleus Maleficarum, drawing on the writings of the ancient philosophers constructed an image of women as inherently weak and corrupt- and so especially susceptible to demonic influence. The womb was described as a source of evil, which explained why women were so venomous at menstruation. Women were “more ready to receive the influence of a disembodied spirit.” In doing so they would become a witch and, as a result, their natural erratic tendencies would simply become more exaggerated or perverse.
Talking to yourself was a particularly suspect behavior, especially if the words were inaudible, leading to assumptions that the individual was muttering spells under their breath. This was just one of the traits exhibited by Pendle Witch Anne Whittle alias Chattox which were used as proof of her witchcraft. At the time of her trial in 1612, Chattox was an old lady of around 80 and probably suffering from dementia. However, her eccentric behavior was used against her when the judges were told how Chattox was always “more ready to do mischief to men’s goods, then themselves, her lips ever chattering and walking: but no man knew what”.
Where Do we get our stuff? Here are our Sources:
10 Ways to Identify a Witch, STACY CONRADT, Mental Floss, OCTOBER 15, 2018
6 Tests to Identify a Witch, Andrei Tapalaga, History of Yesterday, Jul 17, 2020
Witch Pricking And The Devil’s Mark, ALEKSA VUČKOVIĆ, Ancient Origins, 22 MARCH, 2021
The Curse of Alizon Device, Alex Indovina, Medium, Oct 31, 2020
15 Bizarre and Cruel Ways People Tested Witches, Tamar Altebarmakian, Ranker
Woodcuts and Witches, Jon Crabbe, The Public Domain Review
Legal Process: Procedures, Courts & Aftermath of the Salem Witch Trials, Legends of America
The woman who became a witch-pricker, Louise Yeoman, BBC News, November 18, 2012
Urine, Noaiddi.com Traditionell läkekonst, August 3, 2015.
Ducking Stool, Medieval Life and Times Info
Weighing Witches, Strange History, April 16, 2013
The History of Witchcraft, Montague Summers, Castle Books, 1992
The Swimming of Witches, Foxearth & District Local History Society
The Little Book of Leicestershire, Natasha Sheldon, The History Press, 2017