This document provides definitions and background information on various objects and concepts related to witchcraft that are depicted in a painting, including potions, incense, demons, skulls, witches, cauldrons, familiars, sprites, and levitation. It also asks questions to prompt the reader to analyze details in the painting, consider why certain elements were included, and think about how witchcraft was viewed during the Tudor and Stuart periods.

1. Potions
Medicine, or poison in
liquid form.
Incense
This provides a fragrant
smell when burnt.
Q. When you go back to
the main picture try and
spot where and in what
the potions are being
mixed together?
Q. Why do you think that incense is being burnt?
Click here for a clue.

2. Remember how important religion was at this time.
Demons
An evil spirit or devil.
Many people thought
witchcraft to be the work
of the Devil.
Some pets were thought
to be demons, or familiars.
These could disguise
themselves as common
animals such as cats, dogs,
frogs or rabbits.

3. Skull –
The skeleton of the head.
These were often used in
paintings as reminders of
death and the afterlife.
Could they provide a link with
the dead and spirits from
beyond the grave?
Consider how superstitious people were at this time.

4. Witch
Somebody who practices magic (in this
case ‘dark’ forms of magic.
It was thought at this time that witches
were sometimes accompanied by a a devil
or ‘familiar’ spirit.
Lots of witches together are called a
coven.
Q. What do you find strange about
the two witches at the front of
the picture?
Q. What do you find strange about
the appearance of this witch ?
Do you expect
a witch to look
like this?

5. Cauldron
A large round pot made of
metal which is used for
boiling food.
Cauldrons could also be
used for mixing potions….
(When you go back to the painting look
at the fireplace)
Q. Can you link this with any
other part of the picture?
(Clue: Go back and look on the shelves)

6. Witch
When people think of witches
they tend to think that they
will be female.
Men were also accused of
witchcraft. A male witch is
sometimes called a Warlock –
a wizard or sorcerer.
Q. Are all of those present within
this painting female?

7. A Familiar
This was thought to be an evil spirit that
had taken on the form of an animal
A Spell book Contained incantations, chants and spells
Q. How many creatures
can you see in the picture?
Q. Describe some of
these creatures.
Familiars could even look
like common pets!

8. Could this be a reference to Doctor
Faustus (made famous in a play by
Christopher Marlowe in 1604)?
Ask your teacher about this.
Sprites
Supernatural beings or the
souls of people. They can
sometimes take on a ghostly
appearance.
Levitation
Rising into the air using
supernatural powers.

9. What did I find ?
How did the Tudors and Stuarts view witchcraft?