The History of Witchcraft

The History of Witchcraft

Samuel Hume

Witches didn't exist, and yet thousands of people were executed for the crime of witchcraft. Why? The belief in magic and witchcraft has existed in every recorded human culture; this podcast looks at how people explained the inexplicable, turned random acts of nature into conscious acts of mortal or supernatural beings, and how desperate communities took revenge against the suspected perpetrators.

Preview of Winds of Change - Hostile Takeover

Preview of Winds of Change - Hostile Takeover

The first half of Episode 2 - Hostile Takeover. Listen to the full episode here: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/ARML6837257429?selected=ARML4090812395After the death of Aurangzeb, the United East India Company benefitted from the political chaos of 18th century India. Allying with, fighting against, and eventually dominating the Nawabs of Bengal and Arcot, the Nizam of Hyderabad, the Peshwa of the Maratha Confederacy, and the Sultans of Mysore. At the Battles of Plassey and Buxar, Company gene

Dec 9, 2024 • 34:02

Piety and Heartwork in Covenanter Scotland

Piety and Heartwork in Covenanter Scotland

Witch Hunt Podcast: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07rn38z/episodes/downloadsTime Travels: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b094d4hl/episodes/downloads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 25, 2021 • 1:01:30

Intelligent Speech 2020

Intelligent Speech 2020

I will be giving a talk at Intelligent Speech 2021 on 24th April. Sign up now to listen to me tell the tale of Charles II's dramatic flight from Worcester https://www.intelligentspeechconference.com/shop/ Use the code 'PAX' at checkout for an additional 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mar 11, 2021 • 3:00

045 - Wittenberg to Witches

045 - Wittenberg to Witches

Ben Jacobs of Wittenberg to Westphalia and Sam Hume of the History of Witchcraft sat down for a chat about witch panics, memes, authority, and the importance of getting angry while also staying calm. Check out Ben's Podcast: https://wittenbergtowestphaliapodcast.weebly.com/ Music: Intro music is See These Bones by Nada Surf. Spective - Bridge Valley P.R. & ChillCat - Soul Child ai means love. - road trip Breezewax - Mother's Earth LZRDSK - flowers LeVirya & Broey. - Inertia Aphrow & Stuffed

Aug 10, 2020 • 35:46

044 - Early Modern English Witchcraft with Professor Darren Oldridge

044 - Early Modern English Witchcraft with Professor Darren Oldridge

Prof. Oldridge joins me to talk about witchcraft and religion in early Stuart England, The recommended books, available from all good retailers, are: Strange Histories (2017) The Supernatural in Tudor and Stuart England (2016) The Witchcraft Reader (2019) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2020 • 42:02

Extra - Sound Education Experience

Extra - Sound Education Experience

This is just a short catch up episode to share what I experienced at Sound Education 2019. I met so many great podcasters, many that I've listened to for years and many more that are now in my queue.www.SoundEducation.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 17, 2019 • 21:49

Bonus - What's it like to make a History Podcast (feat. Dead Ideas)

Bonus - What's it like to make a History Podcast (feat. Dead Ideas)

In a special episode BT Newberg and I talk about the highs and lows of making a history podcast. What made us want to start a podcast? Why did we pick the subjects we did? When did I decide to change focus to Pax Britannica? What are the best and worst things about it? Peak behind the curtain! Go check out Dead Ideas: https://deadideas.net/ Check out the podcast website: http://thehistoryofwitchcraft.co.uk/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyofwitchcraft/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/His

Apr 28, 2019 • 44:04

Introducing Pax Britannica

Introducing Pax Britannica

A short introduction and clip from the first episode of Pax Britannica. Follow the links below to find my new show your favourite way!Show Page: https://cms.megaphone.fm/channel/ADL3707263633Website: https://paxbritannica.infoiTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/pax-britannica/id1451859986?mt=2Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6FQwqzI4u8waYkEaEUiXut?si=n0GT5GBASzyyl1d1GK-j8wStitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/samuel-hume-3/pax-britannicaGoogle Podcasts: https://www.go

Feb 10, 2019 • 8:24

043 - Salem, Massachusetts

043 - Salem, Massachusetts

If anyone has heard of a particular witch trial, they will have heard of Salem. It's an infamous part of early American history, and everywhere in popular culture. Today's episode will be explaining the main theories as to why the small village of Salem, Massachusetts began the greatest witch panic in American history.This episode primarily made use of the following texts:- Anderson, Virginia Dejohn, 'New England in the Seventeenth Century', in The Oxford History of the British Empire:

Jan 27, 2019 • 35:37

042 - Witchcraft in Russia with Prof. Valerie Kivelson

042 - Witchcraft in Russia with Prof. Valerie Kivelson

I'm delighted to speak with Valerie Kivelson, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of History at the University of Michigan. Professor Kivelson graduated from Harvard University magna cum laude in 1980, and received her PhD from Stanford University in 1988. Since then Professor Kivelson has been a prolific author of books and papers covering topics as varied as Russian Cosmography, Siberian colonisation, cartography, and of course witchcraft.Recommended texts by Prof. Kivelson:- Desparate Magic:

Dec 9, 2018 • 50:21

041 - Halloween - From Pagan, to Christian, to Party

041 - Halloween - From Pagan, to Christian, to Party

Today we cover the development of Halloween - its development from a Celtic harvest festival, which may or may not have involved the ritual slaughter of infant children, and its merger with the Christian holy days of All Saints and All Souls, emerging from the melting pot of American society as something new and old, traditional and commercial.Many thanks to Joe from the 80 Days - An Exploration Podcast for lending his voice to today's intro quote. Find his fantastic show on Facebook, T

Oct 27, 2018 • 49:19

040 - The Pilgrims

040 - The Pilgrims

In this episode we cover the early history of English colonisation in the Americas, and the growth and expansion of New England in particular. This episode primarily makes use of the following texts: - Canny, N. 'The Origins of Empire: An Introduction', in The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume I: The Origins of Empire (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998 - Appleby J. C., 'War, Politics, and Colonization, 1558-1625', in The Oxford History of the British Empire: Volume I: The Origins

Oct 7, 2018 • 29:05

039 - A War of Words

039 - A War of Words

For a full bibliography, please see the website: https://thehistoryofwitchcraft.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyofwitchcraft/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistofWitchPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/HistoryofWitchcraftThe Recorded History Podcast Network: https://www.recordedhistory.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 3, 2018 • 33:49

038 - The Wroth of Woden

038 - The Wroth of Woden

The transformation of Roman Britain with the arrival of the Germanic pagans led to its own odd synthesis of superstitions and rituals. The Christianisation of these pagan kingdoms further added to the mix, as did the subsequent arrival and conversion of the Danes and Norwegians. Today's episode is all about the treatment of magic-wielders in Anglo-Saxon society, how they were seen by the Church, and how individual rulers tried to clamp down on their subjects use of their services. For a full bib

Aug 27, 2018 • 36:25

037 - Suffer Not a Witch to Live

037 - Suffer Not a Witch to Live

This episode primarily makes use of the following texts:- Dickie, M. W., Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World (2003) - Ogden, D., Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook (Oxford, 2002)For a full bibliography, please see the website: https://thehistoryofwitchcraft.co.uk/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historyofwitchcraft/Twitter: https://twitter.com/HistofWitchPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/HistoryofWitchcraftThe Recorded History Podcast Ne

Aug 19, 2018 • 27:42

036 - Burn to Ashes

036 - Burn to Ashes

The Witchfinder General faces humiliation on multiple fronts. His critics are uniting, his prosecutions are falling, and the ruinous cost of hiring him suddenly seems less worthwhile. This episode primarily makes use of the following texts: -  Gaskill, Malcolm, Witchfinders: A Seventeenth Century English Tragedy, (2005) -  Levack, Brian, ‘State-Building and Witch-Hunting’, in Oldridge, Darren (ed.), The Witchcraft Reader, 2002 -  Purkiss, DIane, The English Civil War: A People's History, (2007

Aug 13, 2018 • 35:22

035 - A Magazine of Scandal

035 - A Magazine of Scandal

This week's episode continues the trials of East Anglia, as we see the result of the Witchfinder General's efforts in the summer assizes of Chelmsford and Bury St. Edmunds. One was headed by the Earl of Warwick, a noble with little in the way of legal training, and the other by a triumvirate of two priests and a lawyer. One goes exceptionally well for the witchfinders, and the other... not so much.This episode primarily makes use of the following texts:-  Gaskill, Malcolm, Witchfinders:

Jul 29, 2018 • 27:41

034 - The Witchfinder General

034 - The Witchfinder General

This episode primarily makes use of the following texts:-  Gaskill, Malcolm, Witchfinders: A Seventeenth Century English Tragedy, (2005) -  Levack, Brian, ‘State-Building and Witch-Hunting’, in Oldridge, Darren (ed.), The Witchcraft Reader, 2002-  Purkiss, DIane, The English Civil War: A People's History, (2007)-  Jackson, Louise, ‘Witches, Wives and Mothers: Witchcraft Persecution and Women’s Confessions in Seventeenth-Century England’, in Oldridge, Darren (ed.), The Witchcraft Reader,

Jul 22, 2018 • 35:02

033 - Satan's Kingdom Divided

033 - Satan's Kingdom Divided

In today's episode, the infamous Witch-Finder General begins his campaign through south-eastern England, as we discuss the opening accusations of the greatest and deadliest witch hunt in English history.This episode primarily makes use of the following texts:-  Gaskill, Malcolm, Witchfinders: A Seventeenth Century English Tragedy, (2005) -  Levack, Brian, ‘State-Building and Witch-Hunting’, in Oldridge, Darren (ed.), The Witchcraft Reader, 2002-  Purkiss, DIane, The English Civil War: A

Jun 25, 2018 • 39:28

032 - Never a Cross Left

032 - Never a Cross Left

The Witchfinder General, Matthew Hopkins, did not exist in a vacuum. How could this man, who had no formal authority, tour South-East England and not only execute hundreds of 'witches', but find cheering crowds and grateful magistrates waiting for him? Today's episode will examine the possible reasons why the Hopkins witch craze was so exceptional in its scale and brutality. This episode primarily made use of the following texts: -  Gaskill, Malcolm, ‘Witchcraft Trials in England’, in Levack, B.

Jun 9, 2018 • 36:18

031 - It's Treason, then.

031 - It's Treason, then.

Today's episode covers the escalating conflict between Charles I and Parliament, as harsh words led to outright war. We also look at the simmering discontent among elements of the English population to the limited prosecutions of witches, spearheaded by the Stuart court.   This episode primarily makes use of the following sources: Gaskill, Malcolm, ‘Witchcraft Trials in England’, in Levack, Brian (ed.) The Oxford HandbookHolmes, R., Witchcraft in British History (1974)MacFarlane, A., Witchcraft

May 27, 2018 • 31:52

030 - The Lynching of John Lambe

030 - The Lynching of John Lambe

This week, we have a shorter episode while I brush up on my Civil War knowledge. Doctor John Lambe was the personal magician of the Duke of Buckingham, a favourite of James and an ally of Charles. Yet, the reputation of Dr Lambe was so poor that even these lofty connections couldn't save him...     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Apr 21, 2018 • 19:35

029 - By the Sword of the Magistrate

029 - By the Sword of the Magistrate

In today's episode we see the tide turn on the English witch trials. By the end of his reign, James is unwilling to entertain the more ludicrous accusations and his heir, Charles I, continues this approach. Puritanism, the new bogeyman of the Anglican church, appears the most vocal supporter of the trials, and so the established clergy approach the topic warily. And the magistrates and judiciary have seen the last twenty years of legal precedent, of cases thrown out and judges publicly

Apr 16, 2018 • 36:49

XXVIII - The Burning of Prospero

XXVIII - The Burning of Prospero

At the great Council of Nikaea, an issue that threatened to split an empire apart was finally settled. Yet, when one of the Emperor's own sons rejects the decision, his brother is dispatched at the head of a Legion to bring his errant son to heel and bring unity to His Imperium.+The Emperor Protects+ This episode primarily makes use of the following sources: - Abnett, Dan, Prospero Burns (2010)- Bligh, Alan, The Horus Heresy: Book Seven - Inferno, (2017)- McNeill, Graham, A Thousand Son

Apr 1, 2018 • 36:12

027 - A Wonderful Discovery

027 - A Wonderful Discovery

Today we look at the political intentions behind the pamphlet, the Wonderful Discovery of Witches in the County of Lancaster, and how it was purposefully written to match the published opinions of James I. We further examine how James began to regret both his Daemonologie and the act he had circulated in 1604, as he faced yet more cases of fraudulent claims of witchcraft, and a judiciary that was too eager to please.This episode primarily makes use of the following sources:Holmes, R., W

Mar 25, 2018 • 32:36

026 - Demon Women and Foul Devices

026 - Demon Women and Foul Devices

Was James VI and I truly the witch-hunting, demon-studying zealot that he has traditionally been seen as? Today we take a look at the court of King James, and hear about the trials that dotted his early reign. This episode primarily makes use of the following sources:Holmes, R., Witchcraft in British History (1974)MacFarlane, A., Witchcraft in Tudor and Stuart England (London, 1970)Levack, B., 'State-Building and Witch Hunting', in Darren Oldridge (ed.), The Witchcraft Reader (London, 2

Mar 18, 2018 • 32:48

025 - Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot

025 - Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot

In today's episode, we return to the narrative of early modern Britain, and finally combine the episodes on England and Scotland in the form of one man: James VI and I. We cover the problems and priorities facing James once he inherits the throne from Elizabeth; England's diplomatic situation, its religious dissidents, and a Parliament that is getting a bit too self-important for the absolutist James. This episode primarily makes use of the following sources:Herrington, H. W., ‘Witchcra

Mar 11, 2018 • 27:40

024 - Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair

024 - Fair is Foul, and Foul is Fair

In today's episode, we cover the works of William Shakespeare, one of the greatest literary figures in English history. Specifically, we look at the supernatural elements in a number of his plays, from Henry IV and Richard III, to The Tempest and Macbeth. Straddling the reigns of Elizabeth and James, Shakespeare's career provides a window into how magic and witchcraft may have been seen in English culture.This episode primarily makes use of the following sources:Herrington, H. W., ‘Witc

Feb 11, 2018 • 46:16

023 - Ten Thousand Hells

023 - Ten Thousand Hells

Drama is perhaps one of the most recognisable products of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. This week, we look at two of the more famous plays from this period which use the supernatural in their narratives; Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus, and Thomas Middleton’s The Witch.Although I’m sure I’m missing someone out, someone important from this period who wrote a lot of plays still loved today.No matter, I’m sure I’ll remember by next week! This episode primarily drew from the follo

Jan 13, 2018 • 26:04

022 - Fairies, Demons, and a Cat called Satan

022 - Fairies, Demons, and a Cat called Satan

This week, we hear about the witch beliefs commonly held by your common or garden peasant in Elizabethan and early Stuart England. The priority for your average Joe was the ability of witches to effect the physical world, and how they could help or harm.We also cover the Protestant authorities stance with traditional folklore, in a world that now had to explain the supernatural based solely on the scripture of the Bible.  This episode primarily makes use of the following texts: Alan Mac

Dec 10, 2017 • 32:57

021 - Gloriana? I Hardly Knew Her!

021 - Gloriana? I Hardly Knew Her!

With the reign of England's first recognised Queen, Elizabeth I, we find a kingdom riven by sectarian violence and uncertainty. Today's episode gives a brief overview of her rule, and covers the various plots against the monarch and her advisers. We also return to the life of John Dee, the court magician who had been tried for treason during the reign of Mary, as well as hearing the adventures of various preachers and witch-hunting magistrates.Website: http://thehistoryofwitchcraft.co.u

Dec 3, 2017 • 44:00

020 - Witchcraft in Tudor England

020 - Witchcraft in Tudor England

Henry VIII was a superstitious sort of bloke, one who was in his element spending his free time charging at another bloke who was also charging him while they both hold long and pointy bits of wood (some academic language for you there), and yet when faced with something he couldn't fight he ran away screaming.Poison, prophecy, and witchcraft were all on his hit-list, as we see in this episode, as we cover the magical elements of both his reign and those of his two eldest surviving legi

Nov 16, 2017 • 24:21

019 - The Eternal City and the Evil Eye

019 - The Eternal City and the Evil Eye

The Roman Empire stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Levant for centuries, and today's episode covers a few of the magical beliefs the superstitious Romans held. While it's hard to distinguish between organically Roman traits and those imported from the Greek world, the culture of Rome was certainly a mixture of the two, as can be seen in their beliefs in magic. Today's episode primarily makes use of the following texts:EpodesLivy, The History of RomeThe Twelve TablesM. W. Dickie,

Nov 7, 2017 • 36:12

018 - Halloween - From Pagan, to Christian, to Party

018 - Halloween - From Pagan, to Christian, to Party

Today we cover the development of Halloween - its development from a Celtic harvest festival, which may or may not have involved the ritual slaughter of infant children, and its merger with the Christian holy days of All Saints and All Souls, emerging from the melting pot of American society as something new and old, traditional and commercial.Many thanks to Joe from the 80 Days - An Exploration Podcast for lending his voice to today's intro quote. Find his fantastic show on Facebook, T

Oct 23, 2017 • 48:26

017 - Poisoners, Soul-Drawers, and Mathematicians

017 - Poisoners, Soul-Drawers, and Mathematicians

The founders of Western Civilisation, the Classical Greeks were strong believers in the existence and capabilities of the supernatural. Their epic poems and plays featured Gods, Goddesses, and spirits aplenty, and mythical heroes were often attributed fantastic knowledge and power. As time went on, Greek writers began to distinguish between different types of magic, and their acceptability.   This episode primarily draws from: - Daniel Ogden, Magic, Witchcraft, and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman

Oct 19, 2017 • 43:47

016 - The Legacy of the Magi

016 - The Legacy of the Magi

The Persian Empires of antiquity were vast and powerful, and many of their subjects were devout Zoroastrians - a monotheistic religion that worshiped Ahura Mazda and abhorred his opposite, the evil Ahriman. Ahriman was the creator of all the impurity of the world, including the powers of witchcraft. Yet despite this zealous hatred of magic, the priesthood of Zoroaster, the Magi, gave the west an ironic legacy...   Today's episode primarily relied on: The Book of Arda Viraf The Sixteen Perfect La

Oct 8, 2017 • 33:24

015 - The Sorcerers of the Pharaohs

015 - The Sorcerers of the Pharaohs

Magic and religion was inseparable in the first human civilisations of the Fertile Crescent and the Nile. The Gods were active in the world, and could be bargained with and sometimes commanded by humans. But what was one mans legitimate prayer was his enemy's witchcraft, and all manner of natural events were blamed on the supernatural shenanigans of evil men. This episode primarily makes use of the following texts: Farber, W. Witchcraft, Magic, and Divination in Ancient Mesopotamia Schwemer, D.

Oct 4, 2017 • 27:01

014 - The Scattering of the Knights Templar

014 - The Scattering of the Knights Templar

Today's episode is on how the news of the ruthless prosecution of the Templars in France was received by three distinct rulers - Edward II of England, Denis I of Portugal, and regent Amaury of the Kingdom of Cyprus. We see how, by and large, the main deciding factor for how the Templars are treated are the domestic situations in each of these countries. This episode primarily makes use of the following texts: Cohn, N. Europe's Inner Demons (London, 1975) Jochten Burgtof, Paul Crawford, Helen Nic

Sep 25, 2017 • 31:55

013 - The Crushing of the Knights Templar

013 - The Crushing of the Knights Templar

The Iron King, Philip the Fourth, is well deserving of the title. As we see this episode, he let nothing get in the way of his ambitions. Italian merchants, Jewish moneylenders, even the Pope, all would be crippled by the French king for the crime of standing in his way. This fate also awaited the Knights Templar; for political and financial gain, Philip seized on unsubstantiated rumours and strong-armed every authority in his grasp the ensure the complete and utter destruction of the military o

Sep 17, 2017 • 45:07

012 - The Rise of the Knights Templar

012 - The Rise of the Knights Templar

The Knights Templar, or the Poor-Fellow Soldiers of Christ and of the Temple of Solomon, are a fascinating example of how too much success can be a bad thing. Rapidly abandoning the 'Poor-Fellow' aspect of their name, the Templars grew into a vast land-owning organisation with enormous wealth, ignoring the growing anger and discontent against their privileges. Once they lost the 'Temple of Solomon' aspect of their name, their days were numbered... This episode primarily makes use of the followin

Sep 10, 2017 • 31:34

011 - Mountaintop Madness

011 - Mountaintop Madness

John Calvin's role in the history of Geneva is hotly debated to this day, and the city gained a reputation for cruel and excessive witchtrials. We discover exactly how terrible these trials were, and whether or not Calvin deserves the blame for Geneva's attitude towards witchcraft. We also consider the events to the east of the republic, where the greedy motivations of a tyrannical lord resulted in a catastrophic witch hunt which eventually led to the creation of a modern European state.   This

Sep 4, 2017 • 42:11

010 - The Wisest Fool in Christendom

010 - The Wisest Fool in Christendom

The last great Scottish trial under the reign of James Stuart Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 21, 2017 • 30:17

009 - The Devil's Greatest Enemy

009 - The Devil's Greatest Enemy

The North Berwick Witch Hunt | The Exile of Earl Bothwell | Newes from Scotland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 2, 2017 • 51:04

008 - The Cradle King

008 - The Cradle King

The bloodsoaked early years of James VI's reign Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 17, 2017 • 25:41

007 - To Kill a King

007 - To Kill a King

James VI of Scotland had one hell of a tough time getting married... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 3, 2017 • 17:19

006 - The Synagogue of Satan

006 - The Synagogue of Satan

Many of the witch hunters at the head of the worst trials were convinced of the existence of the Witches' Sabbat, a blasphemous gathering of sorcerers that met with the Devil, took part in demonic orgies, and planned their terrible crimes. Suspected witches were tortured into admitting they attended these sabbats, and then were tortured into naming the people they had seen there. The idea of the sabbat gave inquisitors a reason to expect that their witches knew each other, and their torture conf

Jun 19, 2017 • 24:17

005 - "I Have Forgiven the Devil"

005 - "I Have Forgiven the Devil"

The deadliest trials of the Early Modern Period were also the ones with the greatest number of young victims. Children as young as seven are recorded as being tortured and executed for the crime of witchcraft. Fleeing the city was not enough; extradition was actively sought for those suspected of the crime, and it was often granted. Prince-Bishop Phillip Adolf von Ehrenberg, the 'Iron Bishop', led the charge, not even sparing his young nephew from the stake.  Truly, Würzburg epitomises the worst

Jun 12, 2017 • 25:45

004  - Reigns of Terror

004 - Reigns of Terror

In this episode, we examine two of the more brutal and violent witch panics in all of European history; Fulda between 1602 and 1606, and Bamberg, between 1626 and 1632. Both ruled by Catholic clergy-lords, one a Prince-Abbot and the other a Prince-Bishop, they reigned over substantial territories, and their word was law. So when they began trials against suspected witches, they rapidly escalated to every part of society. No one was safe. This episode primarily made use of the following texts, am

Jun 5, 2017 • 35:27

003 - Heartland of the Witch Craze

003 - Heartland of the Witch Craze

Here we begin with the events themselves. Today we look at a case of slander in Rothenburg ob de Tauber, which ended relatively peacefully and no one was burnt as a witch, and then contrast it with the Trier Witch Trials, which were not at all peaceful and involved hundreds of people being burnt as witches. I do love a good contrast!   This episode primarily made use of the following texts, among others: Constitutio Criminalis Carolina (1530) Del Rio, Martin, Disquisitiones Magicae, (1599) Weyer

May 29, 2017 • 37:24

002 - A Century of Fire

002 - A Century of Fire

The witch trials of the 16th and 17th centuries are, by far, the reason for many of the stereotypes of witchcraft. The belief in witch cults was rife throughout the educated classes of Christendom, and when combined with the desperate anger of starving peasants and townsfolk these beliefs spread fire and destruction on an unprecedented scale. This is the Century of Fire, when innumerable men, women, and children were burnt at the stake, bishops celebrated their newly-enforced orthodoxy, and exec

May 23, 2017 • 39:26

001 - The Hammer of the Witches

001 - The Hammer of the Witches

The Malleus Maleficarum, the 'Hammer of the Witches', was the lifes work of Papal Inquisitor Henricus Institoris, who held a particular hatred of witchcraft and those who practiced it. For him, witchcraft was the fruit of female sexuality and the corrupting influence of the Devil, only occasionally finding men guilty of the crime. His work was either a seminal work on witchcraft theory, or a fabricated mess worth barely any mention, depending on who you ask. This episode primarily made use of

May 23, 2017 • 41:29

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