Did you know Scotland passed the Witchcraft Act of 1563 in June 1563? For a century and a half, witches were hunted (about 1563-1736). Not even witches – even others simply assumed to be that may not even practice – but they were different.

Throughout history one thing has been proven over and over – others fear what is different. Rather than embrace differences, others seem to fear them.

In a nutshell, this Act Against Conjurations, Enchantments, and Witchcrafts made it possible for those convicted to be punished by death.

Many know about the Salem Witch Trials (Feb. 1692-May 1693) – but many do not know that this also happened in other countries.

 

You will find there are a number of witchcraft acts (I will eventually cover these and specifics more in depth at a later date for t hose interested):

Witchcraft Act 1542 – Henry VIII was the first to claim witchcraft as a felony. This meant it was punishable by death and chattels and goods were forfeit.

Witchcraft Act 1563 – This was passed early during Elizabeth I’s reign. It was her version of a slightly less brutal form of punishment in that it was only punishable by death if harm had been done. The punishment for other acts was imprisonment.

Scottish Witchcraft Act 1563 – This I discussed above and will be highlighted more later.

Witchcraft Act 1604 – James I ascended to the crown a year prior to this with the assistance of Edward Coke (and several others). Burning at the stake was pretty much done other than in cases that were also petty treason. At this point, most witches were hanged. Minor witchcraft offenses were punishable by one year in prison.

Scottish Witchcraft Act 1649 – This passed a series of acts to enforce godliness – blasphemy, worship of false Gods, and beaters and cursers of their parents were now able to be punished. Additionally, they ratified the 1563 Act to extend to deal with consultors of “devils and familiar spirits” – to punish them with death.

Witchcraft Act 1735 – This allowed those that claimed to be able to call upon spirits, tell the future, cast spells, find stolen goods – would be punished as vagrants and con artists. This was punishable by imprisonment and was for the whole of Great Britain, thus repealing Scotland’s 1563 Act and England’s 1604.

 

There were also many other related acts (which we may dive into later).