he was an english witch hunter general from 1644 to 1647.
along with his associates,would preform witch hunts in Suffolf, Esssex, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire, and with a few in northhamptonshire and bedfordshire.
witches in england at the time were deemed as heretics by christians and witchcraft was viewed as the greatest of sins/
in fact, witchcraft was seen as a crime so foul that all normal legal procedures were superseded.
Because the Devil was not going to "confess", it was necessary to gain a confession from the human involved.
Matthew Hopkins was responsible for the execution of around 100 to 300 people, the vast majority of whom were foids.
The most commonly cited figure is around 200 foids between 1644 and 1647, which accounts for about 60% of all witchcraft executions in England during the 17th century.
Since exact records are scarce, historians debate the precise number, but Hopkins' witch hunts led to the largest witchcraft persecution in English history.
His most infamous trials took place in Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, where some towns saw dozens of women accused and executed.
Matthew Hopkins used a variety of brutal and unscientific methods to extract confessions and identify witches.
His techniques were not officially sanctioned by English law, but because of the chaos of the English Civil War, local authorities often allowed him to operate freely.
Key methods he used included:
sleep deprivation, or watching as it was known as.
Suspects were kept awake for long periods, often several while being constantly observed and interrogated.
Exhaustion and delirium often led to false confessions, and this method was common in places where torture was illegal, as it was seen as a "legal" way to force a confession.
the swimming test, or "ducking".
The accused was tied up and thrown into a body of water.
If they floated, they were guilty, If they sank, they were innocent, but could drown before being pulled out.
This method was based on the belief that witches had renounced baptism and thus would be repelled by water.
witch marks or "pricking".
Hopkins' men searched for "witch marks", which were moles, scars, or birthmarks because they were believed to be the Devil’s mark.
The accused were pricked with needles or bodkins (small daggers). If they did not bleed or feel pain, they were considered guilty.
Some witchfinders used retractable blades to fake "evidence."
Forced Confessions & Witness Accusations.
Hopkins would intimidate and manipulate suspects into confessing, often forcing them to name others, leading to chain accusations.
His questioning was designed to confirm guilt, not prove innocence.
The "Familiar Spirits" Test, where Hopkins believed witches had animal familiars, demonic pets that carried out their bidding.
If a cat, dog, rat, or other small creature was found near the accused, it was "proof" of witchcraft.
Some women confessed under pressure, naming imaginary familiars with strange names like "Pyewacket" and "Grizzel Greedigutt."
Tying & Watching for Imps.
the accused was tied up and observed for hours. If an insect or small creature (like a fly or mouse) came near them, it was said to be a demon feeding on them.
Hopkins' methods were criticized in his time, and after his death, likely from tuberculosis in 1647, his reputation declined rapidly.
His work led to the execution of hundreds, but it also sparked a backlash that eventually helped end large-scale witch trials in England.
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