"First she learned this art of witchcraft at the age of twelve years of her grandmother, whose name was Mother Eve of Hatfield Peverel,
deceased... When she taught it to her, she counseled her to renounce God and his word and to give of her blood to Satan... which she
delivered to her in the likeness of a white spotted cat... Then this Elizabeth desired first of the said Cat (calling it Satan) that she might
be rich and to have goods, and he promised her that she should asking her what she would have, and she said sheep (for this Cat spake
to her as she confessed in a strange hollow voice... When she had gotten these sheep, she desired to have one Andrew Byles to her
husband... and the Cat did promise that she should... And after when this Andrew had thus abused her, he would not marry her,
wherefore she willed Satan to waste his goods, which he forthwith did, and yet not being contented with this, she willed him to touch
his body which he forthwith did whereof he died..."
Deposition of Elizabeth Francis at her trial for murder by witchcraft, in Chelmsford Essex,England, 1566
A. Describe one way in which the deposition of Elizabeth Francis reflects continuities regarding traditional folk
ideas of the period 1550-1648.
B. Describe one significant change regarding traditional folk ideas of the period 1550-1648 that is not addressed in the
passage
C. Briefly explain one idea from the period 1550-1648 that could be used to counter or refute the accusations in
the passage above.
