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Witches and Witchcraft in Europe

Historical witches in Europe: witchhunts and witch trials. Often called the "witch craze," during these periods people -- often women -- were identified as witches, often with little evidence. What's the real story?
  1. Witches and Witchcraft
  2. European Women's History

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.

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.

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