Interesting about the Salem Witch

In the spring of 1692 in Salem, Massachusetts, began one of the largest New England judicial process on a charge of witchcraft. After the two girls accused the women that they were witches, fear, paranoia and hysteria spread with incredible speed, covering all the townspeople.

Many tried and sentenced to death, but against them was almost no evidence except the testimony of other unreasonable. Events quickly got out of control, were destroyed many lives, broken families, all residents of the small town were baffled. How it all began, how it ended, as well as other details about the Salem witches, read on.

smallpox

Shortly before the start "witch hunt", a smallpox outbreak spread through the town of Salem. This only added fuel to the fire. Reverend Cotton Mather accused Martha Corey is that smallpox began because of her witchcraft. He called it "a ferocious witch" and "Queen of Hell", although historical records indicate that it was simply an independent in his judgments and unruly.

Abigail Williams and Betty Parris

Because of these two girls actually started ruthless "witch hunt." The historical record says that they began to show symptoms of unknown disease, attacks were terrible. In addition, they claimed that they had seen the spirit of the accused, who had been to them. When the girls examined by a doctor, he decided that the cause of the disease has been the impact of the witch. It was then, and began arrests and reprisals against those accused of witchcraft. Little girls pointed to several alleged witches including maid-slave Tituba, Sarah Good, and Sarah Osborne.

water test

It was a popular test to determine whether someone is a witch or not. In this test, the thumb of the right hand of the victim tied to the big toe of the left foot, and vice versa, the left thumb - to the right leg. Thereafter a test was lowered into the water. If the poor wretch did not sink, it means she was a witch, and if drowning, then it was not. There was a real risk of drowning during the test if you suspect too long not pulled out of the water.

The law on witchcraft

These tests of "witches" were carried out in accordance with the law adopted by the Parliament of the United Kingdom in 1542, known as the "Law of witchcraft." Thus, in England, witchcraft was a crime punishable by death. This law was observed for hundreds of years.

The crushed stones

Some tests have been quite unusual. For example, a highly successful farmer Giles Corey was accused three women of witchcraft. To force him to admit it, the villagers put it on the floor and on his chest put a wooden board. On top of the board they began to put heavy stones, until they crushed the poor. Such an investigation technique called "pressed". Corey last words were, "Lay still."

Ergot

One of the versions to explain what happened in Salem, is ergot poisoning. This fungus that affects rye grain in the spring and summer season, when the heat and humid. Symptoms of poisoning are similar to those observed among residents of Salem, including spasms, seizures, hallucinations and vomiting.

Viselichny Hill

The place where the accused witches were executed by hanging, called Viselichnym Hill. For many years, historians have speculated, where is carried out executions, and were able to fix it only in 2016. However, no one knows where many of the accused have been buried since they were not allowed to be buried in a Christian cemetery.

The total number of victims of

In total, the trials of 20 people were executed. 19 of these people were hanged and one, Giles Corey, was crushed stones. Four others died in prison while awaiting trial. A total of 200 people of witchcraft, of which 140-150 people were arrested have been accused of.