ASSIGNMENT | Witchcraft trials

Your response needs to be based on the documents that I have provided below. Failure to rely heavily on these documents will result in a significant deduction in your grade, as the purpose of this assignment is to gain the firsthand perspective from people who experienced these events personally.

2. Witchcraft trials have taken place throughout medieval history, in almost every continent, but particularly in Europe and North America. Pope Innocent VIII supported and encouraged seeking out witches and putting them on trial for their alleged heretical beliefs and behaviors. Many others wrote speeches and guides explaining how to catch, prosecute and punish witches (the most famous example being the Malleus Maleficarum). Based on the ideas presented by Innocent VIII, Johannes Nider and in the excerpt from the Malleus Maleficarum, was it possible for anyone accused of being a witch to receive a \”fair\” trial? Why or why not? (Be sure to base your opinions firmly on the information provided in the required documents. You need to address each of the documents in your paper.)
\”Witchcraft Documents [15th Century]).\” Internet History Sourcebooks Project http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/witches1.html

SAMPLE SOLUTION

Witchcraft Trials
In the 16th century Europe, there was an outbreak of witchcraft hysteria, which resulted in mass executions and persecutions. Both the Protestant and the regions loyal to the Pope regarded the crime of witchcraft as a serious offense. It has been recorded that a majority of the individuals suspected of this delinquency were women, who were viewed as being vulnerable to the blandishments of the Devil by the witch-hunters.
From the Bull (Summis desirantes), there is evidence of what accusations the witches would be charged with. Pope Innocent VIII (1484) claims that the Pope had been informed of people in parts of Germany and some cities, provinces, and regions…