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How did changing standards of evidence contribute to the decline of European witch trials?
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Witchcraft
El conjuro or Las brujas (“The Conjuring” or “The Witches”), oil on canvas by Francisco Goya, 1797–98; in the Museo Lázaro Galdiano, Madrid.
The decline of European witch trials was significantly influenced by a shift toward more rigorous judicial standards, which made it increasingly difficult to secure convictions for witchcraft.12
As elite skepticism grew, judicial authorities began to demand higher standards of evidence, moving away from the credulous practices common in local courts. Key changes included:12
- Judicial Reform: Centralized courts, such as the Inquisition and the Parlement of Paris, implemented stricter procedural rules. These included requiring the review of sentences, investigating whether accusations stemmed from personal animosity, and obtaining statements from physicians.34
- Restriction of Torture: There was a growing concern regarding the validity and morality of torture, which had previously been used to extract confessions and force the naming of accomplices. By limiting or banning its use, courts significantly reduced the number of coerced, false confessions.123
- Increased Oversight: Higher judicial authorities frequently intervened to halt regional witch hunts that they deemed out of control.12
These procedural changes led to a higher rate of acquittals and made initiating prosecutions more expensive and dangerous, ultimately leading to the decriminalization of witchcraft.132