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Autism & Witchcraft

Anthony

For those who don’t know, I’ve quite an interest in history and in particular the historic application of crime and punishment. Recently during research for a project I’m working on it occurred to me that there were a large number (though nowhere near as larger number as many think) of trials for people accused of witchcraft - some were executed, others put in prison. The thing is, the basis for an allegation of witchcraft was so broad - but essentially you could report anyone who didn’t appear normal to authorities as a witch. This got me thinking, I wonder how many people with sensory, personality or behavioural issues we now know to be traits of autism were accused of witchcraft. Things like a meltdown could easily be perceived as such. It’s not as far fetched as you’d imagine - for example, a woman who gave birth to a baby with deformities in the hands and feet was accused of witchcraft and hanged for her ‘crime’ as it was said she cast a spell to turn her baby’s hands and feet into hooves of a horse so as she could ride the child as a horse! Given this as an example, I would hate to think what they made of autistic traits! 

Parents

  • It could have been. Alot of things were classed as witchcraft. I'm pretty sure that if someone just wanted another person out of the way that theyd no doubt be called a witch.

    I've been listening to a few podcasts on witchcraft. Molly Dyer was an example of someone persecuted as a witch who more than likely wasent. 

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  • It could have been. Alot of things were classed as witchcraft. I'm pretty sure that if someone just wanted another person out of the way that theyd no doubt be called a witch.

    I've been listening to a few podcasts on witchcraft. Molly Dyer was an example of someone persecuted as a witch who more than likely wasent. 

Children
  • in reply to mouse2

    It would seem the burden of proof was reasonably low - essentially anything the judge felt was not ‘normal’ could be perceived as witchcraft. It’s worth remembering that back then science was nowhere near as advanced as today, as a result anything which did not make sense was put down to either god and the devil or witchcraft. Essentially witches were feared hence why the death penalty was used. However, contrary to belief we didn’t just burn people at the stake upon the first allegation (usually), in Elizabethan times the death penalty was only for a second offence in most cases, the first got a year in prison and time in the pillory - quite a big jump for the punishment of the second offence. But more to the point, if traits of autism were perceived as witchcraft, as we autistic people cannot switch our traits off it is conceivable that the concept of a second offence through the eyes of authority at the time was probable because said traits would have persisted.