James VI (I) Stuart – the Witch Hunter – Part I

Abstract

King James I (VI) Stuart is known as one of the most important and sophisticated English defenders of absolute monarchy and a furious enemy of the Puritans. However, few know that James was a famous hunter of witches and the author of Daemomologie – a philosophical dissertation on contemporary necromancy, witchcraft, and black magic. In this article, the Authors argue that King James did not start the witch-hunts in Scotland, but his writings profoundly influenced the politicization of the legal trial of witchcraft by outlining the definition of witchcraft and the detailing how to identify and accuse witches. The king’s position of authority meant that his ideas were highly regarded and widely accepted. According to the Authors, James’ personal experiences also determined the development of his views on the divine right of kings.