Matthew Hopkins

By Crusader1307

 The first recorded as being officially sanctioned to perform the duties of Witch Hunter , Matthew Hopkins was very much a controversial figure in 17th Century England. Before his Profession in 1644, little is known of his background. Born in Suffolk, he was known to be the 4th of 6 children born to a Puritan Vicar. It was assumed that his fervor for all things against God was kindled by his Father. Some Historians cite that Hopkins was a trained Lawyer. He lived in Essex for a period and in 1634 he was witness to The Lancaster Witch Trials. His experience and training in The Occult and Witchcraft are not known. But by chance, King Charles I Court Physician William Harvey and he became friends. As such (and with prodding from Harvey), Hopkins was able to seal a position as Examiner of Witches .

Contemporary John Stearne (another self-professed Witch Hunter ) and Hopkins also became friends. They both published some of the first literary works on Witches and their identification in Europe. The Discovery of Witches (1647) became a Bible of sorts. Using methods not too far from The Spanish Inquisition, Hopkins traveled throughout Europe in search of supposed Witches and Warlocks. Although never officially granted the Title, he became known as The Witch Finder General .

His methods came under scrutiny by man English who felt that most of his testimonies were obtained from intense torture and thus discredited. Hopkins was brought to trial many times by Magistrates and always was acquitted. After several years, Hopkins retired back to Essex. Hopkins died of Tuberculosis in 1647 and was buried in Essex. But his work The Discovery of Witches was known to be the standard by which Clergy judged supposed Witches during The Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s in Colonial America.