Case Study: Matthew Hopkins

Who was Matthew Hopkins?

Matthew Hopkins was a young lawyer from Essex. In the 1640s he became known as the Witchfinder General due to his 'ability' to spot witches.

What did Matthew Hopkins do?

Between 1645 and 1647, Matthew Hopkins led a witch hunt in the east of England. An unprecedented number of accusations of witchcraft were made, and 250 cases of witchcraft came before the authorities in East Anglia.

How did Matthew Hopkins start the witch hunts?

Starting in the small town of Manningtree in Essex, Hopkins and his assistant, John Stearne, began searching East Anglia for witches.

What did Matthew Hopkins do in Manningtree?

In Manningtree, Hopkins named 36 women as witches and collected evidence against them. He charged them with using harmful magic against their neighbours or their neighbours' livestock.

Who did Matthew Hopkins accuse of witchcraft?

The majority of women accused by Hopkins were old and poor, the most vulnerable people in their village.

What methods did Matthew Hopkins' use?

Hopkins used 4 key methods of searching for evidence of witchcraft as he investigated his suspects:

• ❖ He exhausted his suspects by keeping them standing and forcing them to walk.
• ❖ He also weakened their resistance by keeping them awake for days at a time. Exhausted and worn down, many confessed.
• ❖ If a mouse, fly or spider found its way into the room, Hopkins claimed it was a 'familiar', a creature created by the devil to do the witch's bidding.
• ❖ Any scar, boil or spot was regarded as proof of a 'devil's mark'. These were not difficult to find as a lifetime of poor diet and hardship usually left marks on people's bodies.

How successful was Matthew Hopkins?

Hopkins' so-called success at unmasking witches led to other areas of the country engaging him to rid them of witches.

Why did Matthew Hopkins lead witch hunts?

Hopkins charged for his services, demanding a fee for his time plus expenses. He might have also been motivated by a desire for fame or a genuine fear of witchcraft.

Did Matthew Hopkins accuse any men of witchcraft?

There were cases of men being accused of being witches too. An 80-year-old local vicar was accused and made to undergo trial by water in the castle moat. He was found guilty and hanged.

Why did Matthew Hopkins stop hunting for witches?

There is no mention of Hopkins in official records after 1647. It is believed he most likely died from an illness.

What were the results of Matthew Hopkins' witch hunts?

Between 1645 and 1647, East Anglia witnessed at least 100 executions for witchcraft, possibly more. Nineteen of these victims were women from Manningtree.

What did Matthew Hopkins call himself?

He went by the title "Witchfinder General".