Witch Hunts in Europe and America: An Encyclopedia

by William E. Burns

From early sorcery trials of the 14th century―associated primarily with French and Papal courts―to the witch executions of the late 18th century, this book's entries cover witch-hunting in individual countries, major witch trials from Chelmsford, England, to Salem, Massachusetts, and significant individuals from famous witches to the devout persecutors. Entries such as the evil eye, familiars, and witch-finders cover specific aspects of the witch-hunting process, while entries on writers and modern interpretations provide insight into the current thinking on early modern witch hunts.

From the wicked witch of children's stories to Halloween and present-day Wiccan groups, witches and witchcraft still fascinate observers of Western culture. Witches were believed to affect climatological catastrophes, put spells on their neighbors, and cavort with the devil. In early modern Europe and the Americas, witches and witch-hunting were an integral part of everyday life, touching major events such as the Reformation and the Scientific Revolution, as well as politics, law, medicine, and culture.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

400 pages, Hardcover

First published October 30, 2003

Reviews

[Jaiseri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very informative book about witch hunts in Europe and America. It is collection of various literatures written on witch hunts in Europe and America along with the paintings that depict the witches and their executions too. The figures included in the book are a bit lower than some claims according to which around 9 million women were executed in the name of witches. This book covers the witch hunt starting from executing the Templars via accusation of use of sorcery to the execution of normal old women of a village. Most of the witch hunt were backed by Churches.
Killing in the name of witch hunting is still practised in developing worlds. I landed to this book while I was preparing for a seminar where I had to present on topic "economic cause behind witch hunt". I had to talk about European case (Switzerland) and Tanzania. I too included incidences from India and Nepal. Since then, this book was in my list. Finally, I finished going through it.
If Europe can move forward after such a dark age of witch hunt so can the developing nation. The only tool to light their path is education and awareness.