Embracing the darkness a cultural history of witchcraft

How many witches were killed in total?
It has been estimated that tens of thousands of people were executed for witchcraft in Europe and the American colonies over several hundred years.
The exact number is unknown, but modern conservative scholars estimate around 40,000–50,000..
What is the history of witch burning?
Within a century, witch hunts were common and most of the accused were executed by burning at the stake or hanging.
Single women, widows and other women on the margins of society were especially targeted.
Between the years 1500 and 1660, up to 80,000 suspected witches were put to death in Europe..
What was the punishment for the witches?
Many faced capital punishment for witchcraft, either by burning at the stake, hanging, or beheading.
Similarly, in New England, people convicted of witchcraft were hanged..
What was the social response to witchcraft in Europe in the 16th and 17th century?
The 16th and 17th centuries saw a sharp increase in the persecution of witches with both the revival of old laws, and the creation of new ways to criminalize witchcraft..
What were the attitudes towards witchcraft in the 17th century?
As mentioned previously, though the church and King Christian IV feared the spiritual effects of witchcraft, “in the eyes of the courts and the local populace who brought the initial charges, witches were seen as an economic threat that needed to be eliminated” (Tangherlini, 2000)..
What were the ideas about witches and witchcraft in the 17th century?
During this period, witches were believed to have been in a pact with Satan and capable of inflic,ng harm upon their enemies.
However, people were happy to use their religious beliefs as an excuse to take revenge on those people that they mistrusted, or disliked, by accusing them of witchcraft..
As mentioned previously, though the church and King Christian IV feared the spiritual effects of witchcraft, “in the eyes of the courts and the local populace who brought the initial charges, witches were seen as an economic threat that needed to be eliminated” (Tangherlini, 2000).
Early witches were people who practiced witchcraft, using magic spells and calling upon spirits for help or to bring about change.
Most witches were thought to be pagans doing the Devil's work.
Many, however, were simply natural healers or so-called “wise women” whose choice of profession was misunderstood.
Witches have a long and elaborate history.
Their forerunners appear in the Bible, in the story of King Saul consulting the so-called Witch of Endor.
They also crop up in the classical era in the form of winged harpies and screech-owl-like “strixes” – frightening flying creatures that fed on the flesh of babies.

Witchcraft has profoundly shaped the western imagination, and endures in the forms of modern-day Wicca and paganism. Embracing the Darkness is an enthralling account of this fascinating aspect of the western cultural experience.

William II of England has been depicted in various cultural media.

Ghost from English folklore

In English folklore, Herne the Hunter is a ghost associated with Windsor Forest and Great Park in the English county of Berkshire.
He is said to have antlers growing from his head, ride a horse, torment cattle, and rattle chains.
The earliest mention of Herne comes from William Shakespeare's 1597 play The Merry Wives of Windsor, and it is impossible to know how accurately or to what degree Shakespeare may have incorporated a real local legend into his work, though there have been several later attempts to connect Herne to historical figures, pagan deities, or ancient archetypes.

1497 engraving by Albrecht Dürer

The Four Witches, or The Four Naked Women, or The Four Sorceresses or Scene in a Brothel, are titles given to a 1497 engraving by the German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer.
One of his earliest signed engravings, it shows four nude, exuberant women gathered conspiratorially in a circle in a confined interior setting, perhaps a bath house, which appears to have entrances from either side.
Although clearly erotic, a small horned demon, perhaps representing temptation, is positioned in the left hand portal, peering out and holding what may be a hunting object, and is engulfed in flames.

Embracing the darkness a cultural history of witchcraft

How many witches were killed in total?

What is the history of witch burning?

What was the punishment for the witches?

What was the social response to witchcraft in Europe in the 16th and 17th century?

What were the attitudes towards witchcraft in the 17th century?

What were the ideas about witches and witchcraft in the 17th century?

The Four Witches