The Case of Anne Gunter fits the modern stereotype of witchcraft accusations and the resulting trials; a young girl falsely claims that one or more older women are causing her harm using supernatural abilities acquired through nefarious means, sending the community into turmoil. Hysteria runs rampant in the community and the poor women are severely punished - the stereotypical story plays out similarly in popular media, most notably in Arthur Miller's "The Crucible". But in the case of young Anne Gunter of North Moreton there is a deviation from the “standard plot” of a witchcraft trial: the women are acquitted and Miss Gunter's subterfuge is revealed. The fact that the accusations not only turned out to be false, but that a confession to them was given by Anne Gunter allows the focus to shift from the actual Gunter case to what factors played into why people were accused of witchcraft . What we can deduce from the Gunter case is that people in England were accused of witchcraft due to three main factors: lack of power, prestige, and abundance within society. In general, there is a socioeconomic disparity between the accuser and those accused of witchcraft. practicing witchcraft. The accuser is usually of a higher social class than the people against whom they are bringing accusations. The power dynamic between the two parties is often skewed in favor of the person making the accusations. Anne Gunter came from a relatively new family in North Moreton, but her father, Brian Gunter, was the only gentleman in the village. Yet one of the women Anne accused of witchcraft was a member of one of North Moreton's most prominent families, the Gregorys. Elizabeth Gregory was the wife of a small farmer... middle of paper... well-liked. Reputation is also shaped by interactions with others, which can lead to civility or animosity among citizens. It could be argued that there are many reasons why someone should be accused of witchcraft during the early modern period. Using Anne Gunter as a case study, three important factors can be analyzed: power, reputation and wealth. Those with power, good reputation, and wealth can easily level accusations at people deficient in all three areas who are in a lower position than themselves. Social status matters when it comes to witchcraft accusations. A woman who is poor and believed to be a witch or who has a bad reputation among her neighbors is more likely to be labeled a witch than a gentleman's daughter. This is why reputation is the most important factor in considering why people were accused of witchcraft in early modern England.