The John Darrell Exorcism Controversy

John Darrell was a Puritan minister who performed numerous exorcisms in Elizabethan England. His cases became famous, then infamous when accused of fraud. The controversy shaped official attitudes toward exorcism for centuries.

The Early Cases

Beginning in 1586, Darrell gained fame for successful exorcisms. His subjects displayed classic possession symptoms. His prayers apparently drove out demons. His reputation grew among Puritans.

The Nottingham Seven

In 1597, Darrell exorcised William Sommers of Nottingham, whose possession attracted huge crowds. Six others were then found to be possessed. Darrell’s dramatic public exorcisms made him a celebrity.

The Accusation

Sommers eventually recanted, claiming Darrell had coached him to fake possession. The Church of England authorities, hostile to Puritan claims of ongoing supernatural activity, prosecuted Darrell for fraud.

The Consequences

Darrell was defrocked. The Church discouraged exorcism, which it saw as Catholic superstition. Whether Darrell was genuine or fraudulent remains disputed.

Assessment

The Darrell controversy reveals how religious politics shaped interpretation of possession. His cases may have been genuine, fraudulent, or a mixture. The truth was less important than its religious implications.