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History 1010
2/3/2015
The Trial of Bridget Bishop: Analysis
The trial of Bridget Bishop was like many other trials that occurred during the
Salem Witch Trials. Although the Colonials had a court and judicial system, the trials
were very corrupt due to the bias, one-sided view of the court, how easy it was to
manipulate the court, and the lack of strong evidence to back up accusations.
Throughout these trial summaries, we read about the widow Bridget Bishop being
accused of being a witch. All through the trial, we see a lot of bias against Bridget
through the lack of defense on her side and the trick questions that were constantly
presented to her.
Why you seem to act witchcraft before us, by the motion of your body,
which seems to have influence upon the afflicted. I know nothing of it. I am
innocent to a Witch. I know not what a Witch is How do you know then that you
are not a witch I do not know what you say. How can you know, you are no Witch,
& yet not know what a Witch is. I am clear: if I were any such person you should
know it.
There was no strong evidence every provided to prove that Bridget Bishop was a
witch. We had multiple witnesses that would recount their past experiences claiming that
Bridget was there, and was the cause of their suffering. As well, the witnesses and jury

would act during the trial. Whenever Bridget would look at someone or motion her head,
the jury would freak out or accuse her of bewitching them in the middle of her court trial.
She shake her head & the afflicted were tortured. The like again upon
the motion of her head How is it then, that your appearance doth hurt these? I
am innocent. Why you seem to act witchcraft before us, by the motion of your
body, which seems to have influence upon the afflicted. I know nothing of it. I am
innocent to a WitchThen she turned up her eyes, the eyes of the afflicted were
turned up
Unfortunately, in the end, we see that the court rules Bridget to be hanged
believing she is a witch, but not before Bridget claims that Goody Olliver was the witch
that tempted her.
Q. here is a great change since we last spake to you, for now you Afflict
& torment againe; now tell us the truth whoe tempted you to sighne againe? An.
itt was Goody Olliver; shee would have mee to sett my hand to the book, butt I
would nott neither have I. neither did consent to hurt them againe. Q. was that
true that Goody Wilds appeared to you & tempted you? An. yes, that was true.
This point again reflects how easy it was to manipulate and corrupt the law and
court. It was pretty easy to accuse someone when your only evidence was a made up
story or account. I find the account of Bridget Bishop to be both a sad tale and an eye
opener. Reading through these entries help me see that there was a lot more going on
during these times and a lot of unfair injustices even in the places meant to be most just
and noble.