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What made Bridget Bishop vulnerable?
Nobody knows how the girls knew her, but we think her reputation is the main factor. Possibly, the girls had never met her before but her status amongst the community made her vulnerable. Even Bishop had never seen these girls until the trial. The awful day of the trial came for Bishop.
Why did Abigail accuse Bridget Bishop?
According to historical records, Bridget Bishop was said to own a tavern and dress in an outspoken manner, which was taboo at the time. Abigail takes the chance to accuse these questionable women under the belief that their negative reputations will be enough to support her case against them.
Was Bridget Bishop rich or poor?
Bridget Bishop was not extremely wealthy but she was comfortable. She had been married three times and had the lifetime use of a nice home and…
But Bishop’s status as the first witch hunt martyr remains today. Her unusual situation of being a thrice-married, twice-widowed woman who also owned property is said to have made her an anomaly amongst her counterparts and may have painted the target on her back for her being accused.
What job did Bridget Bishop have?
Bridget Bishop (died 1692) was a tavern keeper whose wild temperament and flamboyant dress enventually caused her to be tried and hanged for witchcraft.
Why did Bridget Bishop get accused of witchcraft?
Bishop’s blatant disregard for the respected standards of puritan society made her a prime target for accusations of witchcraft.
What did Bridget Bishop wear to her trial?
Aside from encouraging rumors and social disdain, this “showy costume” was used as evidence against her at her trial for witchcraft.
What did William Stacy say about Bridget Bishop?
William Stacy claimed he’d been frightened by Bridget Bishop fourteen years before and that she had caused the death of his daughter. Others accused her of appearing as a specter and abusing them.
Why did Bridget Bishop get hanged in Salem?
Although Bishop had been accused by more individuals of witchcraft than any other witchcraft defendant (many of the accusations were markedly vehement and vicious), it was not so much her “sundry acts of witchcraft” that caused her to be the first witch hanged in Salem, as it was her flamboyant life style and exotic manner of dress.