Humanities & Social Sciences

Witchcraft narratives in Germany

Rothenburg, 1561–1652

by Joseph Bergin, Alison Rowlands, Penny Roberts, William G. Naphy

Description

Looks at why witch-trials failed to gain momentum and escalate into 'witch-crazes' in certain parts of early modern Europe. Exames the rich legal records of the German city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a city which experienced a very restrained pattern of witch-trials and just one execution for witchcraft between 1561 and 1652. Explores the social and psychological conflicts that lay behind the making of accusations and confessions of witchcraft. Offers insights into other areas of early modern life, such as experiences of and beliefs about communal conflict, magic, motherhood, childhood and illness. Offers a critique of existing explanations for the gender bias of witch-trials, and a new explanation as to why most witches were women.

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Reviews

Looks at why witch-trials failed to gain momentum and escalate into 'witch-crazes' in certain parts of early modern Europe. Exames the rich legal records of the German city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber, a city which experienced a very restrained pattern of witch-trials and just one execution for witchcraft between 1561 and 1652. Explores the social and psychological conflicts that lay behind the making of accusations and confessions of witchcraft. Offers insights into other areas of early modern life, such as experiences of and beliefs about communal conflict, magic, motherhood, childhood and illness. Offers a critique of existing explanations for the gender bias of witch-trials, and a new explanation as to why most witches were women.

Author Biography

Joseph Bergin is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Manchester, Fellow of the British Academy and Correspondant Étranger, Institut de France.; ; ; William G. Naphy is Senior Lecturer in History and Head of Department at the University of Aberdeen

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Bibliographic Information

  • Publisher Manchester University Press
  • Publication Date July 2018
  • Orginal LanguageEnglish
  • ISBN/Identifier 9781526137982 / 1526137984
  • Publication Country or regionUnited Kingdom
  • FormatPDF
  • ReadershipGeneral/trade
  • Publish StatusPublished
  • SeriesStudies in Early Modern European History
  • Reference Code11891

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