Sir John Holt

What was Sir John Holt's role in the acquittal of witches?

• He was the prosecutor in witch trials.
• He was the judge in witch trials.
• He was a defense attorney for accused witches.
• He had no involvement in witch trials.

Which period was Sir John Holt active as Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales?

• 15th century
• 16th century
• 17th century
• 18th century

What was the significance of Sir John Holt's role in witch trials?

• He strongly believed in the existence of witchcraft.
• He actively pursued the prosecution of accused witches.
• He introduced more rigorous standards of evidence, making it harder to obtain convictions for witchcraft.
• He was known for his harsh sentencing of convicted witches.

How did Sir John Holt's approach to witch trials differ from his predecessors?

• He relied heavily on confessions obtained through torture.
• He considered spectral evidence as credible proof of witchcraft.
• He required stronger evidence, discounting flimsy accusations and hearsay.
• He favored convictions based on personal testimonies alone.

What was one of the most notable cases Sir John Holt presided over regarding witch trials?

• The Salem witch trials in Massachusetts
• The Pendle witch trials in Lancashire
• The North Berwick witch trials in Scotland
• The Bideford witch trials in Devon

How did Sir John Holt's stance on witch trials affect the number of witchcraft convictions during his tenure as Lord Chief Justice?

• Convictions significantly increased.
• Convictions decreased.
• There were no witchcraft convictions during his tenure.
• Convictions remained relatively stable.

What was the impact of Sir John Holt's approach to witch trials on public opinion?

• It fueled widespread panic about witchcraft.
• It helped restore confidence in the justice system by raising evidentiary standards.
• It led to increased persecution of accused witches.
• It had no influence on public opinion.

Which legal principle did Sir John Holt prioritize in his approach towards witch trials?

• The presumption of innocence
• The right to a fair trial
• The admissibility of spectral evidence
• The use of confession as the primary evidence

How did Sir John Holt's handling of witch trials impact the overall treatment of women accused of witchcraft?

• Women accused of witchcraft faced harsher punishments.
• Women accused of witchcraft were acquitted more frequently.
• There was no significant change in the treatment of accused women.
• The number of women accused of witchcraft dramatically decreased.