Witchcraft Laws Poster Set: 1542 to 2022

Six fact-checked posters on how the law treated people accused of witchcraft in England and Scotland, from the Act of 1542 to the Scottish Government’s apology in 2022.

Who it’s for: Ages 12 to adult.

What’s inside:

- 1542 and 1562: the first Witchcraft Acts

- 1563: Scotland’s Witchcraft Act

- 1604: a tougher law

- 1560–1717: the trials in England

- 1736: the laws are repealed

- 2022: an apology

- Credits, licence & sources

Pages: 8 (including cover and credits). Sizes: A4 (210 × 297 mm) and US Letter (8.5 × 11 in), both PDFs in one zip.

Printing: print at 100% / actual size. Inside pages have light backgrounds and print well in black and white; covers are dark, so start from page 2 to save ink.

Every historical and folklore fact is checked against named sources (UK Parliament, Living Heritage: Witchcraft; University of Edinburgh, Map of Scottish Witchcraft: introduction; The National Archives: Early modern witch trials, accusation and trial; Scottish Government: International Women’s Day 2022, First Minister’s statement, 8 March 2022), listed on the credits page. It’s a history and folklore resource: it records what people believed and what the records say, makes no claim that any charm works, and treats modern Pagan and witchcraft traditions with respect. All drawings and layouts are REALLYBYTE’s own work, starring Useless the eraser as a well-meaning apprentice in a hat that is far too big. No photographs are used.

Licence: personal and single-classroom use. Print as many copies as you need for your own family or your own class. Please don’t resell, re-upload or share the files publicly. For school-wide use, email info@reallybyte.com.

Made by REALLYBYTE, the team behind witchcraft.im. Questions: info@reallybyte.com

This is a digital download: no physical item will be shipped.