History: Salem Witch Trials - Facts and Fibs

Welcome to the eighteenth day of my daily October posts! Throughout these next 14-days, I will be posting different spooky fun facts, tricks and treats. Today, I will be discussing the tragedy and horrific history of the Salem witch trials. Enjoy!

Warning: This is a dark topic covering execution, wrongful conviction and child abuse. Please do not read if any of these things trigger you! Be safe! 🤍

Facts:

• The witch trials’ tests could not be passed. The most famous witch test was the “swimming test”, where they would throw the accused in a body of water and if they could swim or float, that meant that they were witches and were to be executed. However, if they sank, then they were innocent but still died.

• The youngest accused was only a four or five year-old little girl named Dorothy Good who was executed along with her mother, Sarah Good. Dorothy was accused of being animalistic and deranged.

• The witch trials only ended when the Royal Governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony, William Phips’ wife, Lady Mary Spencur Hull Phips was accused. He halted the procession of the trials, stating that the spectral testimonies were no longer sufficient as evidence for conviction. Then, he let many of the accused go and prohibited any new arrests.

Fibs:

• No one was burned at the stake, that happened throughout Europe and Britain. Those who were publicly executed in Salem were hanged or crushed to death, but not burned. 

• Women weren’t the only ones persecuted, although the majority. Quite a number of men, children and even two dogs were also condemned as witches. 

• The execution of “witches” did indeed take place in Salem, but the actual witch hunt traveled further to neighboring areas. In fact, most of the accused were from surrounding areas. 

Thank you for reading this mini series and make sure to come back to see tomorrow's post!

Sincerely, 

        your 21st century poet <3