Conference hydra::dejavu

760.0. "Matthew Hopkins - Witchfinder General" by MOVIES::ROBERTS (Nigel, NEW A1/1-2, DTN 774-6152, (0836) 726551) Fri Jun 10 1988 11:26

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Note 71.0                      Witchfinder General                     2 replies
VANISH::ROBERTS "Leiber Aquavit als Aquaplaning!"     5 lines   9-JUN-1988 08:08
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    I live in the small town in England where Matthew Hopkins (aka The
    Witchfinder General) persecuted alleged witches in the 17th century.
    
    I'm interested in doing some research on this subject.
    Can anyone point me in the direction of suitable material?
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Note 71.1                      Witchfinder General                        1 of 2
VANISH::ROBERTS "Leiber Aquavit als Aquaplaning!"     6 lines   9-JUN-1988 08:10
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    Additional to that, I'd be interested in speculations as to his
    motivation. Fear of witches was a potent force in England during
    the Civil War times, when the rule of the law was very weak, even
    when the country was not actually at war. 
    
    But what motivated Hopkins?
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Note 71.2                      Witchfinder General                        2 of 2
MARKER::KALLIS "Don't confuse `want' and `need.'"    15 lines   9-JUN-1988 08:54
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    Re .1:
    
    >But what motivated Hopkins?
    
    From what I understand, money and power.  He got paid for his
    "services," and the greater respect and fear he generated, the greater
    his influence.
    
    Most of the Hopkins material I've been exposed to has been buried
    in more general works.  
    
    You might cross-post your request to the RELIGION (REGENT::RELIGION)
    and DEJAVU (DMATE2::DEJAVU) conferences.
    
    Steve Kallis, Jr.

    Re: .0
    
    I would suggest an excellent "read" (literature) that you might
    find very incisive: "The Crucible" a play by Arthur Miller.
    
    Before you embark upon your research this would certainly provide
    for you some interesting insights as to the incidents that ocurred
    in Salem Mass all historically valid.
    
    Regards,
    
    Richard

    I read the "Crucible" at school. It might be a good idea to re-read
    it.
    
    What I was looking for was maybe more historical references (as far as
    the research was concerned) or inspired guesswork (as to the
    motivations etc.). 
    
    I'm sure that some of you will know what I'm aiming to do. Ideas,
    anyone?