Witch Hunting and Witch Trials

"Witch Hunting and Witch Trials" is a meticulous and comprehensive investigation into the legal and social history of witchcraft in England. Focused primarily on the records of the Home Circuit from the 16th to the 18th centuries, the work provides a scholarly examination of the indictments and legal proceedings that defined an era of intense superstitious fervor. C. L'Estrange Ewen utilizes extensive archival research to analyze the evolution of laws concerning sorcery and the judicial mechanics involved in prosecuting those accused of malefice.

The work serves as a vital resource for understanding the profiles of the accused, the nature of the specific charges brought against them, and the shifting attitudes of the English judiciary. By grounding the study in primary source material, the author offers a sober and evidence-based perspective on the scale and reality of the trials, dispelling many common myths and exaggerations. This study remains an essential contribution to the fields of criminology and social history, offering profound insight into the intersection of law, religion, and folk belief during a dark and complex period of human history.

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This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

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