Witches and Witchcraft in Europe
European Witch Hunts: Overview
Overview of the late medieval and early modern European witchcraft trials and executions. How many were executed? Where did most of the witch hunts happen? And more.
The Life and Legend of Mother Shipton
Mother Shipton was a legendary witch and prophet of Yorkshire, England. Learn more about the development of her legend and the impact of one of her prophecies that was believed by some people in Britain.
Malleus Maleficarum
The Malleus Maleficarum was meant to be a guide for European witch hunters. While it did not begin or cause the witch hunts, it was foundational in "proving" the reality and harm of witchcraft, and in providing procedures for prosecutors and judges to follow in their aim at exterminating witches and witchcraft.
Witch Hunts in Europe: Timeline
A chronology of the events of Europe's pursuit of supposed witches, including the evolution of treating witchcraft as a kind of heresy against the Christian church.
Books on European Witchcraft Persecutions
A selection of historical works on the witchcraft persecutions of medieval and early modern Europe, taking several different approaches.
The European Witch-Hunts, c. 1450-1750
An analysis of the evidence about the witch craze of Europe, 15th through 18th century, with special attention to the question: was this "gendercide"? Were women especially targeted by male patriarchy?
Early Modern Europe: The Witchhunts
Primary source documents on the European witch hunts, part of the Hanover Historical Texts project.
Medieval WitchCraft in Scotland
An illustrated history of incidents of witchcraft accusations in Scotland, mostly 16th and 17th century.
New Light on Witchcraft
Joseph McCabe's skeptical approach to the history of witchcraft and the evolving definition of "witch," part of a larger critique of Christianity.
Witchcraft Documents (15th Century)
If you need a quick read of excerpts from the basic documents, here's where to start.
Witchcraft in Salem Village
Original documents from the Salem 1692, presented by the Peabody Institute Library and the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia.
The Witch-Cult in Western Europe
Margaret Alice Murray's 1921 interpretation of the witch trials of Europe. She quotes extensively from European witch trials, and takes the evidence quite literally. See God of the Witches in this set of links for another of Murray's books.