How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women

A commission refers to a temporary court authorized by the Privy Council to investigate and try individuals accused of witchcraft. These commissions typically consisted of at least five men and operated locally rather than in the High Court of Justiciary. Their purpose was to streamline the trial process, but in practice they lowered standards of evidence and accountability. Since commissions were often granted after accusations had already been made, they functioned to confirm guilt rather than assess evidence objectively. The authors use commissions to demonstrate that witch trials were systematic, legal processes sanctioned by the state, not chaotic outbreaks of mob violence.

The Kirk refers to the governing bodies of the Protestant Church of Scotland. The Kirk held enormous social, moral, and political authority during the witch-hunting era. In the book, Kirk sessions are frequently shown as the starting point for witch accusations, where elders brought rumors or grievances to ministers. Many elders also served as court officers, allowing accusations to move seamlessly from religious spaces into legal proceedings. The Kirk’s focus on moral discipline and fear of the Devil reinforced the belief that witchcraft threatened the entire community. This shows how religious ideology helped normalize suspicion and surveillance.