The Elizabethans were very deep into their faith and religious beliefs. Coming off of a ruler such as Queen Mary I it was no wonder why people were often found in churches. Their religion was a part of their everyday life. Another side to this time, however, was that people were learning a lot.
Supernatural Beliefs in Elizabethan Times
They found that there really were mysteries to the world. There were things that were simply unexplainable at this point in history. There still remain these things today. However, this was a system which produced a lot of thought about the supernatural and other things that would be involved in society.
Witches and witchcraft in Elizabethan Era
This Era was generally given the brunt of attacks of the society during the. With outbreaks like the bubonic plague and their beliefs in supernatural things, there had to be an explanation for this incurable disease. It was often blamed on the witches and witchcraft. These were clearly an obvious choice based on the nature of witchcraft.
The biggest result was the fact that witches were often hunted down and executed. They believed this would stop some of the bad fortune that would spur up every now and then with the terrible diseases.
As we know now, these were simply natural things that occurred to due overpopulation. It probably had little to do with the witchcraft. We also know that there were possibly several people executed who never claimed to be witches.
The problem is that people’s lives were not as valued as they are today. They thought that there just could be no chance taken. If you were accused of being a witch, you were likely to die at the hands of those who were unwilling to take the risk of you spreading diseases on other people.
Elizabethan Beliefs
The oddest part is that there was little thought in the concept that men could be witches during Elizabethan times. It was almost always women who would be suspected of witchcraft during Elizabethan times.
In fact, there were at least 247 reports of women who were charged as being witches. There were only 23 men. This goes to show the bias in the point of view of who a witch could be. Although the beliefs in witchcraft do not have anything to do with gender.
More Info On- Facts About England in Elizabethan Times
