The majority of the respective hierarchies, who enjoyed power in England, Scotland and Europe at
this time, were also somewhat uncomfortable regarding the role of certain women in their
professional capacities. Midwives were repeatedly to be persecuted as witches. This was owing to
their seemingly mysterious skills in the taboo-ridden area of reproduction. The authorities did not
attempt to hide in any format their distrust and apprehension which was caused by females who
undertook this job, owing to their control over the process of childbirth. Frequently, these ladies
were required to swear before God never to murder the newborn or to disguise maternity.
Suspicions of malpractice always lurked just below the surface and when misfortune struck, most
elite, by scapegoating the midwife as a witch, provided the public, as always, with the outlet they
required for their anger and blame.23