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The Superstitions of Witchcraft

By Howard Williams
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History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)History - OtherHistory - Religious

About This Book

The author surveys the belief in witchcraft from antiquity through the early modern period, drawing on pagan, Jewish, and Christian sources and legal traditions. He traces how theological doctrines, social anxieties, medical ignorance, and confessional conflict shaped ideas of demonic agency and alleged pacts with occult agents. The narrative examines episodes of prosecution, legislative measures, trial procedures, and popular practices such as sabbaths, charms, and possession phenomena. It assesses contemporary writings that both defended and criticized demonology, and it maps regional variations in intensity and method. Closing chapters consider transatlantic manifestations of the craze and the gradual retreat of the belief as sceptical inquiry grew.

About the Author

Williams, Howard portrait

Howard Williams

Howard Williams was a 19th-century writer and thinker known for his contributions to ethical philosophy and cultural studies. His notable works include "The Ethics of Diet / A Catena of Authorities Deprecatory of the Practice of Flesh Eating," where he explores the moral implications of dietary choices, and "The Superstitions of Witchcraft," which examines the historical and cultural contexts of witchcraft beliefs. Williams' writings reflect a keen interest in the intersection of ethics, society, and superstition, making him a significant figure in discussions surrounding morality and cultural practices of his time.

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