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Outline For A Paper On Edmund Robinson's Trial

385 Words2 Pages

Alexa MacIsaac
Dr. Templin
EMSP 2320/GWST 2320/RELS 2420
13 March 2023
Final Paper Outline
Introduction
Thesis: The surviving documents from Edmund Robinson’s made-up story about witchcraft in Lancashire in 1633 define the typical witch in 1630s England and indicate the beginning of the decline of witchcraft trials.
Edmund Robinson’s made up story demonstrates typical elements of a witch in 1630s England.
Witchcraft was influenced by the devil.
Elements of inversion are present: the feast at Hoarstones on all Saints day.
The devil appears in the form of a hooved boy.
Women were the primary suspects.
The only people Edmund saw perform magic were women.
The majority of the accused people were women and all the men who were accused were related to accused women. …show more content…

In the original trial, the judges were skeptical of Edmund Robinson’s story. All but one person was accused, and none were executed. → this was atypical
The judges referred the case to the King for a second opinion.
After the second trial, the conviction was overturned.
The case was reexamined by the King and highlighted discrepancies in Edmund’s accusations until he confessed he had made up the story, confirming the previous judges’ skepticism.
This started a trend for other cases to be reexamined and overturned.
This was a turning point in the witch trials.
Skepticism continued to increase in 1640s England.
Witch trials significantly decreased later in the 1650s to 1700s.
Conclusion: Edmund Robinson’s story, although believable enough to earn him a trial since it included typical characteristics of a witch in 1630s England, created skepticism among the judges marking a turning point in the witchcraft

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