Originally published on Yahoo Voices
In the year 1692, the witchcraft trials of Salem erupted. At that time, it was not known as Salem, Massachusetts. It was Salem village now known as Danveres, Massachusets. It was said that several young girls were accused in person to have met and celebrated the witches sabath, which is a covenant with Satan. That covenant
stated they signed 'the devil's book' in blood. The devil's part of the bargain was to take their souls and bodies in return he would make anyone they considered their enemies suffer. And they themselves would lack no good
thing in this world.
Remember that Abagail Williams, who was only a child of eleven, was one of the accused as well as several other girls. These children accused neighbors and their wives of attending the witches sabath. Whole families joined the panic by testifying against each other and others in the village. During the trials, the girls were known to have convulsions. Whether these convulsions were real or pretended, we do not know. Those in authority considered this proof that they had made their pact with the evil one and were condemened to death.
Children as young as 9 years old were convicted of withcraft. The witch trials were so common that no one was safe: Even those known to be pillars of the Church and in good standing with their communities.
Were these unfortunate people witches? Doubtful. It is now known that Salem and similar villages in the area made thier bread of rye. This in itself is not problem, but the swampy ground and moist environment often breeds a type of bacteria that is known to cause convulsions and delusions. These loaves of bread would be baked and sometimes held in non-refrigerated cabinets for weeks, allowing the bacteria to grow. It is more likely that these youngsters were less under an evil spell than a unknown bacterial infection. At least that covers the convulsions and delusions.
The Reverend Cotton Mether presided over many of the trials and was a proponent of the witchcraft devil connection. He published several books: One of them being 'Wonders of the Invisible World' in which he mentioned the devil's he percieved walking about the streets.
The witchcraft frenzy was sadly endorsed by the Reverend Mather and others of his ilk. This endorsement kept the panic going. Even well known and reputable merchants were not above suspicion. Many left the country, if they could do so, to escape accusations. It is known that one merchant, Philip English, and his wife were charged with witchcraft, arrested, and thrown into a Boston jail. They somehow escaped from the Boston jail and ended up in New York city.
Remember that Abagail Williams, who was only a child of eleven, was one of the accused as well as several other girls. These children accused neighbors and their wives of attending the witches sabath. Whole families joined the panic by testifying against each other and others in the village. During the trials, the girls were known to have convulsions. Whether these convulsions were real or pretended, we do not know. Those in authority considered this proof that they had made their pact with the evil one and were condemened to death.
Children as young as 9 years old were convicted of withcraft. The witch trials were so common that no one was safe: Even those known to be pillars of the Church and in good standing with their communities.
Were these unfortunate people witches? Doubtful. It is now known that Salem and similar villages in the area made thier bread of rye. This in itself is not problem, but the swampy ground and moist environment often breeds a type of bacteria that is known to cause convulsions and delusions. These loaves of bread would be baked and sometimes held in non-refrigerated cabinets for weeks, allowing the bacteria to grow. It is more likely that these youngsters were less under an evil spell than a unknown bacterial infection. At least that covers the convulsions and delusions.
The Reverend Cotton Mether presided over many of the trials and was a proponent of the witchcraft devil connection. He published several books: One of them being 'Wonders of the Invisible World' in which he mentioned the devil's he percieved walking about the streets.
The witchcraft frenzy was sadly endorsed by the Reverend Mather and others of his ilk. This endorsement kept the panic going. Even well known and reputable merchants were not above suspicion. Many left the country, if they could do so, to escape accusations. It is known that one merchant, Philip English, and his wife were charged with witchcraft, arrested, and thrown into a Boston jail. They somehow escaped from the Boston jail and ended up in New York city.
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