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Witchcraft in Early Modern England
 
 
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Witchcraft in Early Modern England (Paperback)

by James Sharpe (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
RRP: £20.99
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Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with Religion and the Decline of Magic: Studies in Popular Beliefs in Sixteenth and Seventeenth-Century England (Penguin History) by Keith Thomas

Witchcraft in Early Modern England + Religion and the Decline of Magic: Studies in Popular Beliefs in Sixteenth and Seventeenth-Century England (Penguin History)
Price For Both: £32.28

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Product details

  • Paperback: 168 pages
  • Publisher: Pearson Education (19 Sep 2001)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0582328756
  • ISBN-13: 978-0582328754
  • Product Dimensions: 23 x 15.4 x 1 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 231,237 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #22 in  Books > History > Britain & Ireland > Reformation in Britain
    #51 in  Books > History > Other Historical Subjects > Witchcraft
    #58 in  Books > History > Europe > Reformation In Europe

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Review
"Altogether a fascinating and stimulating read" Local History

Product Description
With the renewed interest in the history of witches and witchcraft, this timely book provides an introduction to this fascinating topic, informed by the main trends of new thinking on the subject. Beginning with a discussion of witchcraft in the early modern period, and charting the witch panics that took place at this time, the author goes on to look at the historical debate surrounding the causes of  the legal persecution of witches. Contemporary views of witchcraft put forward by judges, theological writers and the medical profession are examined, as is the place of witchcraft in the popular imagination. Jim Sharpe also looks at the gender dimensions of the witch persecution, and the treatment of witchcraft in Elizabethan and Jacobean drama. Supported by a range of compelling documents, the book concludes with an exploration of why witch panics declined in the late seventeenth century and early eighteenth century. 

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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Witchcraft in Early Modern England by James Sharpe, 11 Nov 2002
By A Customer
In his introduction, Sharpe states that, 'even before the last witches were burnt, educated Europeans were trying to explain why the witch hunts had happened.'(Pg.3) This quest for knowledge and understanding forms the basis of Sharpe's latest work on this fascinating and complex subject. The author's intention is to provide the reader with a short introduction to the history of witchcraft, focusing on the period between 1563 and 1736, when witchcraft was a secular crime in England. Aimed primarily at undergraduates of history, this book would also be of value to students of other disciplines, requiring a straight forward and current overview of the main issues.

The book is clearly and logically organised and the writing is interesting and engaging, ensuring that it can easily be read in its entirety. The first chapter looks at witchcraft from 'above' and the perceptions of those in authority such as the monarchy, the clergy and judges. Chapter two looks at witchcraft from 'below' and analyses the connections between witchcraft accusations and neighbourly tensions. This paradigm was introduced to the debate in the 1970's by Macfarlane and Thomas and caused a major shift in interpretation. The third chapter examines the broader themes of witchcraft in popular culture, and finally chapter four explores the decline in witchcraft beliefs.

Sharpe also provides a sample of documentary extracts which support his interpretations. There are 27 documents, ranging from the 1563 witchcraft statute, to a selection of comments on witchcraft from 18th century writers. There are several interesting exerts from court cases and personal diaries, which give the reader a useful insight into how witchcraft was written about, spoken about and perceived at the time. Throughout the main body of the text, Sharpe makes clear references to these primary sources, to enable the reader to see how historians have deconstructed the range of evidence. These sources provide an opportunity, 'to enter the mental world of people for whom witchcraft was a reality, or at least a live issue.' (Pg.13).

In conclusion, Witchcraft in Early Modern England provides the reader with a stimulating and concise introduction to this area and reflects the changes in perceptions and ideas that have swept the field over the past centuries. Sharpe's work enters the debate in order to assess the contribution of past historians, to introduce the reader to the current state of thinking in 2001 and to discuss areas needing more research. Sharpe reviews the historiography and expands on the major theories; he discusses future directions for investigation, but gives no final answers. Sharpe states that he hopes to demonstrate that witchcraft is a, 'complex, demanding and serious historical phenomenon.' (Pg.13) To this end he is extremely successful and manages to produce a book that both informs and fascinates, leaving the reader equipped with a basic understanding of the main issues and a desire to continue the quest and discover more.

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