Witchcraft in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries.
During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries of the early European countries and America, a new craze came about the people. This new trend was known as witchcraft, and was highly punishable by torture and eventually led to one's death. In England, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Scotland, and other European countries, witchcraft trials became even more ubiquitous. Mostly women were convicted of this crime along with a few men. It was not an uncommon practice to these countries, but it had become more widespread as the deterioration continued throughout early Europe.
European countries throughout these periods had begun to see social and economic calamity, and the political state of their countries in mayhem. The countries imports and exports from the new world in America soon became less abundant, which resulted in an economic recession. The population was rapidly expanding and it had grown by almost twenty five million, which was the first major recovery of the population since the Black Death. Before long however, by about 1620, a decline fell once again due to famine, war, and plagues that continued to afflict upon the people. Soon food supplies ran diminutive, and these problems created tensions that escalated into the witchcraft craze. .
The witchcraft craze became so widespread throughout Europe due to the church ruling it evil and dangerous because they connected it with the activities of the devil. This turned it into a heresy that many felt had to be eliminated. Those accused of practicing or participating in any sort of evil magic were turned to the authorities tortured, and then burned at the stake. Most accused, were turned in my neighbors or other towns people who were acquainted with them, or they were rivalries to religious beliefs. Mainly lower class people such as widows, servant girls, and the propertyless were part of the main social class being convicted.
Witchcraft: The History The subject of witchcraft is something that has fascinated and instilled fear in people for centuries. ... Leading us down through history, from our European roots and up through one of the blackest periods in our history. Who would have really expected witchcraft to die there? ... This was one of major causes for witchcraft. ... The history of witchcraft is a long and often times cloudy one. ...
Numerous written traces regarding witchcraft have been read through and analyzed by historians. ... In many ways, witchcraft and the reasons which led to persecutions remain a mystery. ... Thus people would accuse neighbors of witchcraft. ... In "witchcraft in early modern Europe,"Jonathan Barry and Marianne Hester assert "witchcraft cases must be understood as power struggles over gender". ... This dark period of history proved to be an obstacle to women's human rights and dignity. ...
Witchcraft? ... I think it important to first discuss some history of witchcraft. The World Book Encyclopedia (2002) describes some of the history as follows: The term witch comes from the Old English word wicca, which is derived from the Germanic root wic, meaning to bend or to turn."" ... In author Ann Llewellyn Barstow's book Witchcraze: A New History of the European Witch Hunts (1994), a typical witch was usually described in this way: "women which be commonly old, lame, bleare-eied, pale, fowle, and full of wrinkles- and "[like] a bitch far more hideous to look at than al...
Witchcraft History has shown that people always had the tendency to give an explanation to all their luck or misfortune. ... People also practiced witchcraft in the days of the early Romans, and several thousand years before that time witchcraft was practiced in Egypt. ... Today most people no longer believe in witchcraft. ... Azande tribe is well-known for its witchcraft. ... Actually, as history has shown In England and in Ireland people used special techniques in order to find out who the witch was because they believe that all their misfortune was a result ...
(Russel, 658) Witchcraft has a very fascinating history. Because much of its history is shrouded in superstition and has not properly been recorded, its exact history is hard to explain. ... According to Montague Summers, the author of The History of Witchcraft and Demonology, "witches can be described as heretics and anarchists," most of which follow the chief of demons, also known as the Devil. ... John Klaits best describes how the belief in witchcraft flourished by saying, "many accusations of witchcraft resulted from ordinary village quarrels." (86) Chance happenings in life were oft...
Witchcraft is one of those religions. ... The misconceptions of Witchcraft have been inaccurate and misleading. ... In Witchcraft there is no deity that is evil. ... Halloween, along with Beltane, have a long and celebrated history. ... Today modern Witchcraft "is a variety of paganism" (Russell 157). ...
However, when the news broke out that it was not true, I started to doubt everything about witchcraft. ... This made me realize that there are several misconceptions about witchcraft, which made people either be fascinated or be afraid of it. ... The history of witchcraft can be divided into three phases: Sorcery, Diabolical Witchcraft, and Modern Witchcraft (Ellwood). ... Ellwood, the first part of the history of witchcraft is sorcery, which refers "primarily to witchcraft in primal and ancient societies- (Ellwood). ... Diabolical witchcraft dates from the early thirteenth century up to th...
History of Witch Craft Witchcraft is about the third biggest religion in America today. ... This history of Witchcraft is ubelievable. ... During the middle ages and the renaissance, witchcraft was considered as evil magic, heresy and devil-worship. ... It can also be used for good rather than for harmful use which most people consider witchcraft being used as. Today, witchcraft is refered as the use of malevolent powers by psychic means without the need for ritual or charm. ...
