World History
Over 400 people (mostly women) were legally executed for witchcraft in Britain until 1735. In retrospect, most of these people were probably not witches. Further, even if they were, it is unfair that they were killed for their personal religious beliefs. This has resulted in a campaign to have these "witches" given royal pardons.
The site http://www.pardonthewitches.com/ has some more details:
On 28th of August 2008, the Swiss Parliament granted an official pardon to Anna Goeldi who in 1782 was the last person to be executed as a witch in Western Europe. It is time the British government followed this example and this Halloween offered a symbolic pardon to those people who were punished for witchcraft in Britain between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Century.
Angels, the UK's largest Halloween retailer, has consulted with historian and witchcraft expert John Callow to prepare eight historical test cases that aim to remove the suspicion and fear that continues to surround these innocent women (and one man). Please fill in the petition below to see your name added to the list that will be presented to Justice Minister Jack Straw MP on Halloween 2008 asking him to recommend the Queen issues a posthumous pardon.
Over 400 women were executed in England alone following accusations of witchcraft. These women - often on the margins of society on account of their sex, poverty and age - found themselves used as the outlet for a wide range of unrelated social issues, from religious tension sweeping the nation during the Civil War to more localised problems such as crop failure. Often it was enough for a child to fall ill for a local woman to become the subject of a whispering campaign that could lead to an accusation of witchcraft. During the period, trials were conducted using official assizes presided over by the same circuit judges that tried people charged of non-supernatural crimes. They often used evidence obtained by duress or torture to justify the death sentence.
Eight test cases are being advanced to help with the pardon request. I am convinced this is worthwhile even if the victims can not appreciate it. Miland Brown has added his name to the petition.
- Executed Australian Man Pardoned
It will not do Colin Campbell Ross much good. After being executed for rape and murder 86 years ago, he was pardoned by Victoria state Governor David de Kretser. Research had shown that he was convicted on shaky evidence. Details on the case can be found...
- Executing Women In Ohio
THE FAIRER DEATH: EXECUTING WOMEN IN OHIO BY VICTOR STREIB. OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS (ATHENS OHIO), 2006. 197 PP PB THE GOOD-BYE DOOR: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF AMERICA?S FIRST FEMALE SERIAL KILLER TO DIE IN THE CHAIR BY DIANA BRITT FRANKLIN. KENT STATE...
- ''witch Of Pungo'' Pardoned By Governor After 300 Years
''Witch of Pungo'' pardoned by governor after 300 years. It only took three centuries but some justice has finally been served in the case of falsely convicted "witch" Grace Sherwood. The Virginia Pilot online notes, "The Witch of Pungo...
- The History Of Halloween
The History of Halloween. Happy Halloween! This has always been my favorite holiday. I thought this year I would find a good Halloween history site. I found one and it is at the History Channel site. This site was created to help support a TV program...
- Feminae Romanae: The Women Of Ancient Rome
Feminae Romanae: The Women of Ancient Rome - A history of women in ancient Rome from the Graeco-Etruscan period to the fall of the Empire. Sections cover multiple periods, graphics and biographies of famous Roman women. The link titled "Republican Women"...
World History
A Royal Pardon for the British Witches?
Over 400 people (mostly women) were legally executed for witchcraft in Britain until 1735. In retrospect, most of these people were probably not witches. Further, even if they were, it is unfair that they were killed for their personal religious beliefs. This has resulted in a campaign to have these "witches" given royal pardons.The site http://www.pardonthewitches.com/ has some more details:
On 28th of August 2008, the Swiss Parliament granted an official pardon to Anna Goeldi who in 1782 was the last person to be executed as a witch in Western Europe. It is time the British government followed this example and this Halloween offered a symbolic pardon to those people who were punished for witchcraft in Britain between the Sixteenth and Eighteenth Century.
Angels, the UK's largest Halloween retailer, has consulted with historian and witchcraft expert John Callow to prepare eight historical test cases that aim to remove the suspicion and fear that continues to surround these innocent women (and one man). Please fill in the petition below to see your name added to the list that will be presented to Justice Minister Jack Straw MP on Halloween 2008 asking him to recommend the Queen issues a posthumous pardon.
Over 400 women were executed in England alone following accusations of witchcraft. These women - often on the margins of society on account of their sex, poverty and age - found themselves used as the outlet for a wide range of unrelated social issues, from religious tension sweeping the nation during the Civil War to more localised problems such as crop failure. Often it was enough for a child to fall ill for a local woman to become the subject of a whispering campaign that could lead to an accusation of witchcraft. During the period, trials were conducted using official assizes presided over by the same circuit judges that tried people charged of non-supernatural crimes. They often used evidence obtained by duress or torture to justify the death sentence.
Eight test cases are being advanced to help with the pardon request. I am convinced this is worthwhile even if the victims can not appreciate it. Miland Brown has added his name to the petition.
- Executed Australian Man Pardoned
It will not do Colin Campbell Ross much good. After being executed for rape and murder 86 years ago, he was pardoned by Victoria state Governor David de Kretser. Research had shown that he was convicted on shaky evidence. Details on the case can be found...
- Executing Women In Ohio
THE FAIRER DEATH: EXECUTING WOMEN IN OHIO BY VICTOR STREIB. OHIO UNIVERSITY PRESS (ATHENS OHIO), 2006. 197 PP PB THE GOOD-BYE DOOR: THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY OF AMERICA?S FIRST FEMALE SERIAL KILLER TO DIE IN THE CHAIR BY DIANA BRITT FRANKLIN. KENT STATE...
- ''witch Of Pungo'' Pardoned By Governor After 300 Years
''Witch of Pungo'' pardoned by governor after 300 years. It only took three centuries but some justice has finally been served in the case of falsely convicted "witch" Grace Sherwood. The Virginia Pilot online notes, "The Witch of Pungo...
- The History Of Halloween
The History of Halloween. Happy Halloween! This has always been my favorite holiday. I thought this year I would find a good Halloween history site. I found one and it is at the History Channel site. This site was created to help support a TV program...
- Feminae Romanae: The Women Of Ancient Rome
Feminae Romanae: The Women of Ancient Rome - A history of women in ancient Rome from the Graeco-Etruscan period to the fall of the Empire. Sections cover multiple periods, graphics and biographies of famous Roman women. The link titled "Republican Women"...