Witch Hunts in the Western World

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Witch Hunts in the Western World

Persecution and Punishment from the Inquisition through the Salem Trials

Brian A. Pavlac

Extraordinary World Series

272 pages
16 illustrations, 1 chronology, 1 glossary

Paperback

November 2010

978-0-8032-3290-7

$17.95 Add to Cart

About the Book

This in-depth and comprehensive resource explores the intersection of religion, politics, and the supernatural that spawned the notorious witch hunts in Europe and the New World. Witch Hunts in the Western World traces the evolution of Western attitudes toward magic, demons, and religious nonconformity from the Roman Empire through the Age of Enlightenment, placing these chilling events into a wider social and historical context. Brian A. Pavlac discusses witch hunts in fascinating detail by region, highlighting the cultural differences of the people who incited them as well as the key reforms, social upheavals, and intellectual debates that shaped European thought. Vivid accounts of trials and excerpts from the writings of both witch hunters and defenders throughout the Holy Roman Empire, France, the British Isles and colonies, Southern Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe bring to life one of the most intriguing and shocking issues in Western history.
 
Accessible narrative chapters make this a fascinating volume for general readers while offering a wealth of historical information for students and scholars. Features include a complete glossary of terms, a timeline of major events, recommended reading selections, an index, and illustrations.

Author Bio

Brian A. Pavlac is the Herve A. LeBlanc Distinguished Service Professor and chair of the Department of History at King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. He is the author of A Concise Survey of Western Civilization: Supremacies and Diversities throughout History and the translator of Balderich’s Warrior Bishop of the Twelfth Century: The Deeds of Albero of Trier.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chronology
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Witch-Hunting
Chapter 2: Medieval Origins of the Witch Hunts
Chapter 3: Witch-Hunting in the Holy Roman Empire
Chapter 4: The Witch Hunts in France
Chapter 5: Witch-Hunting in the British Realms
Chapter 6: Witch-Hunting in Southern Europe
Chapter 7: Witch-Hunting in Northern and Eastern Europe
Chapter 8: Beyond the Witch Hunts
Glossary
Selected Bibliography
Index

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