Witchcraft Final Source Review

Ronald Hutton – The Witch

Witchcraft is a global phenomenon; beliefs vary across cultures and time, not just Europe.

Darren Oldridge – Introduction

Witchcraft beliefs come from fear, religion, and social tension; historians debate causes.

Richard Kieckhefer – Magic in the Middle Ages

Magic was common; distinction between learned (elite) and popular (folk) magic.

Euan Cameron – Enchanted Europe

People lived in a “spirit-filled world” with constant interaction between natural and supernatural.

David Collins – Learned Magic

Learned magic tied to education and texts; included alchemy, astrology, necromancy.

R. I. Moore – Persecuting Society

Europe developed systems to persecute “others” (heretics, Jews), setting stage for witch hunts.

Norman Cohn – Demonization of Heretics

Heretics accused of devil worship and conspiracy; model later applied to witches.

Hans Peter Broedel – Witch Beliefs

1400s shift to witches as diabolic, devil-worshipping conspirators.

Laura Stokes – Defining Witchcraft

Witchcraft becomes a clearly defined legal crime prosecuted by courts.

Julian Goodare – Witches in Court

Courts (torture, confessions) turned accusations into executions.

Thomas Robisheaux – German Witch Trials

Holy Roman Empire had intense hunts due to local courts and fragmented authority.

Wolfgang Behringer – Climate and Witch Hunts

Little Ice Age (bad weather, famine) led people to blame witches.

Brian Levack – Chronology and Geography

Witch hunts peaked 1500–1650; varied by region; decline due to skepticism and legal reform.

Iris Gareis – Witchcraft in the Americas

European witch beliefs spread to colonies and mixed with indigenous traditions.

Moses vs Pharaoh’s Magicians

God’s power defeats magic; magic acknowledged but subordinate to religion.

Witch of Endor

Necromancy exists but is forbidden; fear of contacting the dead.

Circe (Odyssey)

Early example of powerful female magic user (sorceress).

Simon Magus

Conflict between Christian authority and magical power.

Augustine – City of God

Magic is illusion or demonic trickery, not legitimate power.

Saints vs Demons (Patrick, Martin, etc.)

Saints defeat demons; reinforces Christianity over pagan magic.

Bede – Changelings

Fear of supernatural beings replacing children; everyday belief in magic.

Picatrix

Manual of learned magic combining astrology and rituals.

Mirror of Astronomy

Defends astrology as a legitimate intellectual practice.

Oration on the Dignity of Man

Humans have power and potential to shape reality (Renaissance thought).

Canon Episcopi

Early belief that witches are illusions, not real threats.

Formicarius

Early argument that witches are real and dangerous.

Summis Desiderantes (Papal Bull)

Church officially supports witch hunting.

Malleus Maleficarum

Claims women are weak and prone to witchcraft; justifies persecution.

Trier/Würzburg/Bonn Trials

Examples of mass executions and panic-driven witch hunts.

Bernardino of Siena Sermon

Preaching spreads fear and belief in witchcraft.

Martin Luther

Devil actively interferes in everyday life.

John Calvin

Strong belief in supernatural forces and punishment.

Johann Weyer

Witches are mentally ill, not evil; early skepticism.

Reginald Scot

Witchcraft is superstition and not real.

Spee – Precautions for Prosecutors

Critiques torture and unfair trials.

Daemonologie (James I)

Supports witch hunting and belief in witches.

Macbeth

Witches used for drama and symbolism; reflects cultural beliefs.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Supernatural beings portrayed in a lighter, entertaining way.

Witches’ Sabbath

Belief that witches gather with the devil in secret meetings.