Witchcraft in 1597 Aberdeen: an analytic study of its causes, system of beliefs, external factors and characters

• Grant number: 17/26441-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: May 01, 2018
• End date: February 29, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - History - Modern and Contemporary History
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Rui Luis Rodrigues
• Grantee: Marcela Delia
• Host Institution: Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas (IFCH). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 18/14505-0 - Witchcraft in 1597 Aberdeen: an analytic study of its causes, system of beliefs, benchmarks and characters, BE.EP.MS

Abstract

This research proposes to develop a reading of the witchcraft trials, which took place in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the year of 1597. Thus, we wish to understand: (1) how the witchcraft's linguistic universe can be analyzed and interpreted inside the Scottish reality; (2) what were the reasons behind the beginning of the persecutions in that year and, lastly, (3) the role played by the general authorities (the Crown and the local authorities) in the accusation dynamics, since the emission of a Commission of Justiciary by the King and Privy Council made a witchcraft trial in Aberdeen possible. With that, the previous relation pattern that existed in the burgh was changed. These commissions were solicited by the local authorities to the Crown and generated, hence, a mutual dependency between both government spheres. The research will base itself in three main primary sources: a letter-by-letter nineteenth century transcription of trial manuscripts, used in sixteenth century Aberdonian court; an on-line database, which has tables, graphics and a case catalogue of all recorded Scottish witchcraft trials; and the Daemonologie, demonological manual written by the own King - James VI - important to the conclusion of the third point. Also, this work counts with an extensive secondary source background, which will give theoretical basement to the research. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

DELIA, Marcela. Witchcraft in 1597 Aberdeen: an analytic study of its causes, system of beliefs, benchmarks and characters. 2020. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Filosofia e Ciências Humanas Campinas, SP.