Letter: James and witches

Thursday 15 January 1998 00:02 GMT

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Sir: Don Howe (letter, 8 January) cites James I as a witch-burner. He was the author of a book on demonology and took an active part in the notorious case of 1591. However, in 1605 he personally examined Anne Gunter, who had claimed that she was suffering from demonic possession. Eventually she confessed she had faked everything. James revised his ideas on witches and no longer encouraged their persecution.

ALAN FORGAN

Guildford, Surrey

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