Anne Hutchinson's Trial

Throughout history we as historians can see that in the past civilizations religion was taken to an extreme in crimes, trials and other subjects. In the 1600s religion was what the country was believed to be founded on, the “holy” land, “God built this land for us!” This also transferred into the courtroom; people who could’ve been suspected to do committing a crime, who really didn’t, but are found guilty because it goes against the beliefs of the higher court. Ann Hutchinson’s trial is a great example of being treated unfairly in a courtroom and also an example of how the court was used during trials. Anne Hutchinson’s trial was an example of how woman should not go above and beyond of a man or church in society, the reason being is because
Winthrop believe it or not, lived right across the street from Ann’s house which caused him to be concerned. Eventually she got caught and was taken to court to begin the trial. During her trial it was completely unfair. The elders of the trial, who had the ultimate decision in her fate were not for her (Halttunen 89). They believed that no woman should be head of a religious group or preach to other men and woman because that was a man’s job. She was charged with “Traducing the ministers and their ministry and heresy” (Knappman 1). Winthrop did not belive that Hutchinson got what she deserved and believed that she was doing work of the devil and that God would punish her one day. Anne would later have to go in front of the church now in a religious trial to receive more punishment. She was sentenced to “Banishment from the colony and excommunication from the Church of Boston” (Knappman 1). Anne would leave Boston and later be killed by a group of Indians who would slaughter her whole family. Winthrop believed that that was God punishing her for the crimes she committed in Boston. Hutchinson’s trial is still very famous today, “A verbatim record of Anne Hutchinson’s trial survives. It is a record of trial by examination, the very essence of Star Chamber Method” (Chapin 103-104). It is strange because Hutchinson’s death was by Indians and according to John Winthrop it was God punishing her for the crimes that she committed in Boston, but it is said that Indians are sent from the devil (Notes). So was that the devil killing her for doing something good in God’s