230286 Witchcraft in Early Modern Britain (S) (WiSe 2014/2015)

In the early modern period, many people, predominantly, though not exclusively, women were persecuted as witches. The specific forms this persecution assumed in mainland Britain differed in many ways from Continental practice, and there were also marked differences between witch-hunting in England and in Scotland.
This course will chart the persecution of witches in England and Scotland and account for the differences between the two countries as well as between Britain and the Continent. Different explanations for the witch-hunt will be discussed and critically assessed.

Literaturangaben

A list with the relevant literature will be made available at the start of the semester.
Introductory reading:
Barbara Rosen: Witchcraft in England
Christina Larner: Enemies of God