Witch Hunts in Europe and America: An Encyclopedia

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.

Author: William Burns
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 10/30/2003
Pages: 400
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.20lbs
Size: 10.48h x 7.06w x 1.19d
ISBN: 9780313321429

Review Citation(s):
American Reference Bks Annual 01/01/2004 pg. 366
Rec Ref Bks for Small/Med Libr 01/01/2004 pg. 150
Choice 06/01/2004 pg. 1862
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2004 pg. 9

About the Author

WILLIAM E. BURNS has taught at the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Maryland, and Mary Washington College. His earlier books include The Scientific Revolution: A World History Companion (2001) and An Age of Wonders: Prodigies in Later Stuart Politics and Culture (2002).