Wow didn't know the inquisiting of McKnight was going on here. Though it was in the "should we" thread.
I don't think its from hiding something. I think its more of the peasantry is bored, and burning a witch adds excitement.
Need I repeat the "we found a witch may we burn her?" story
They dressed her up like a witch just to burn her 'cause they were bored.
"Yeah but she turned me into a newt!"
"A newt?"
"Well... I got better...BURN HER ANYWAY!"
However a suspicious mind is a health mind McKnight, or so says the inquisition. Better torture them and find out if they are heretics. Just in case, "BURN EM ANYWAYS!"