When ELIZABETH I died in 1603 she had no children. She had lived and died the Virgin Queen. Her nephew, JAMES VI OF SCOTLAND became King. He was the son of MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, whose execution warrant Elizabeth had agreed to sign reluctantly in 1587 after allegations that Mary was involved in a plot to take the English throne by rebellion.

James was a very strict PROTESTANT who hated witches. He wrote a book himself about how dangerous witchcraft was and how governments need to stamp them out. Most people tolerated witches at this time. James and his officers stirred people up to be much more suspicious of people and to tell the government if they suspected anyone of Witchcraft.

SHAKESPEARE wrote his famous play about witches, 'Macbeth', in 1605, just after James I and IV had succeeded to the throne. Shakespeare would no doubt have wanted to be able to perform his plays in front of the King as he had in front of Elizabeth. What better than to have written a play that appealed to James' superstitions so much!

Women, especially older women, were particularly at risk during this time. Often, their husbands or men folk had died; perhaps from hard work, poor food, illness or in Wars. Some women had no means to support themselves and were often left with their children in poverty. They were often reduced to begging to make ends meet.