John Stearne
Encyclopedia
John Stearne was an associate of Matthew Hopkins
, a witchhunter active during the English Civil War
. Stearne was known at various times as the witch–hunter, and "witch pricker". A family man and land owner from Lawshall
near Bury St Edmunds, Stearne was 10 years older than Hopkins. He met Hopkins in Manningtree
and appointed him as his assistant. As a result of Stearne's accusations, a trial was held in Chelmsford
in July 1645 for 29 people accused of witchcraft and sorcery. Of these 4 had died in prison prior to the trial and 15 or 16 were subsequently hanged. Nine who had been convicted of conjuring
spirits were reprieved.
Within a year of the death of Matthew Hopkins, John Stearne retired to his farm and wrote A Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft.
Matthew Hopkins
Matthew Hopkins was an English witchhunter whose career flourished during the time of the English Civil War. He claimed to hold the office of Witchfinder General, although that title was never bestowed by Parliament...
, a witchhunter active during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. Stearne was known at various times as the witch–hunter, and "witch pricker". A family man and land owner from Lawshall
Lawshall
Lawshall is a village and civil parish in Suffolk, England. Located around a mile off the A134 between Bury St Edmunds and Sudbury, it is part of Babergh district.-Background:...
near Bury St Edmunds, Stearne was 10 years older than Hopkins. He met Hopkins in Manningtree
Manningtree
Manningtree is a town and civil parish in the Tendring district of Essex, England, which lies on the River Stour. It adjoins built-up areas of Lawford to the west and Mistley to the east and the three parishes together are sometimes referred to as "Manningtree".Manningtree is a claimant for the...
and appointed him as his assistant. As a result of Stearne's accusations, a trial was held in Chelmsford
Chelmsford
Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. It is located in the London commuter belt, approximately northeast of Charing Cross, London, and approximately the same distance from the once provincial Roman capital at Colchester...
in July 1645 for 29 people accused of witchcraft and sorcery. Of these 4 had died in prison prior to the trial and 15 or 16 were subsequently hanged. Nine who had been convicted of conjuring
Evocation
Evocation is the act of calling or summoning a spirit, demon, god or other supernatural agent, in the Western mystery tradition. Comparable practices exist in many religions and magical traditions.-Evocation in the Western mystery tradition:...
spirits were reprieved.
Within a year of the death of Matthew Hopkins, John Stearne retired to his farm and wrote A Confirmation and Discovery of Witchcraft.
External links
- http://www.witchtrials.co.uk/stearne.html
- http://www.witchtrials.co.uk/matthew.html