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Witchcraft and Crime in the Early Modern Period

History
GCSE Grade 8
8 questions
~16 mins
1 views0 downloads

About This Worksheet

A reading comprehension worksheet exploring the causes, perceptions, and responses to witchcraft accusations during the Early Modern period.

Topics covered:

#History
#History
#Early Modern Crime
#Standard
#Reading Comprehension
#Witchcraft
#Explain the reasons behind witchcraft accusations in Early Modern Britain
#Compare different perspectives on witchcraft and witch hunts
#Analyse the impact of societal beliefs on the persecution of alleged witches
#Outline the methods used to identify and punish witches

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Full preview • 8 questions

Witchcraft and Crime in the Early Modern Period

Subject: HistoryGrade: GCSE Grade 8
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Untitled Worksheet

Grade GCSE Grade 8
A

Witchcraft and Society in the Early Modern Period

Source A: Excerpt from a 16th-century pamphlet

'Witches are the root of all evil and misfortune. They consort with the Devil and cast spells to harm others. It is necessary for the safety of the community to root out these evil-doers.' Provenance: A pamphlet published in 1580 by a religious authority.

Source B: Testimony of a supposed witch during a trial

'I was accused because I was different. They said I could cast spells, but I only helped my neighbors with herbal remedies.' Provenance: Testimony given during a witch trial in 1620.

1.
Explain why accusations of witchcraft increased during the Early Modern period. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
2.
Compare the perspectives of Source A and Source B regarding witches. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
3.
Analyse how societal beliefs influenced the persecution of accused witches in the Early Modern period. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
4.
Outline the methods used to identify and punish witches during the Early Modern period. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
5.
Write a brief explanation of why some accused witches claimed innocence during trials. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
6.
Compare the reasons behind accusations of witchcraft in rural communities versus towns. (4 marks)
[4 marks]
7.
Outline the impact of witch hunts on communities during the Early Modern period. (3 marks)
[3 marks]
8.
Analyse the reasons why the witch hunts eventually declined in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. (4 marks)
[4 marks]

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Details

Created
1/1/2026
Updated
1/1/2026
Type
worksheet
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