The Witch Hunter series is a popular fantasy book series written by Virginia Boecker. Set in an alternate version of 16th century England, the story follows the adventures of Elizabeth Grey, a young witch hunter who is accused of being a witch herself. As she fights to prove her innocence and uncover the truth behind the accusations, Elizabeth becomes entangled in a dangerous web of magic, politics, and treachery. The first book in the series, "The Witch Hunter," introduces readers to Elizabeth's world, where magic is both feared and revered. Elizabeth is a skilled witch hunter, dedicated to the pursuit and eradication of witches. However, everything changes when she is arrested for being a witch after being set up by a powerful sorcerer.
But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth’s witch hunting past–if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she’s thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.
Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that s been laid upon him. And as she s thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.
However, everything changes when she is arrested for being a witch after being set up by a powerful sorcerer. Forced to go into hiding, Elizabeth teams up with a group of unlikely allies to clear her name and bring down the real culprits. In the second book, "The King Slayer," Elizabeth's journey continues as she faces new challenges and dangers.
The Bewitching of Anne Gunter: England's Best Documented Witchcraft Case by James Sharpe
In 1999 I published a book entitled The Bewitching of Anne Gunter: a horrible and true Story of Football, Witchcraft, Murder and the King of England (Profile Books). This concerned the alleged bewitchment of Anne Gunter, aged twenty or so, the daughter of a gentleman called Brian Gunter, resident at North Moreton, then in Berkshire, since boundary changes of 1974 in Oxfordshire. Briefly, Anne fell ill in the summer of 1604, demonstrating symptoms which defied diagnosis. It was eventually decided that she had been bewitched, and suspicion fell on three women in the village: Agnes Pepwell, who had an established reputation as a witch, her illegitimate daughter Mary Pepwell, and Elizabeth Gregory, who although largely free from any established associations with witchcraft was apparently the most unpopular woman in North Moreton, regarded as an all-round troublemaker by her neighbours. More specifically, bad relations between Elizabeth Gregory and the Gunters can be traced back to 1598 when Brian Gunter inflicted fatal injuries on two members of the Gregory family in the course of a brawl engendered by a village football match. As Anne Gunter’s sickness continued, suspicions of witchcraft against the three women hardened. Agnes Pepwell ran away, but Mary Pepwell and Elizabeth Gregory were tried as witches at the Abingdon assizes in March 1605 (two of the first people to be accused of witchcraft under the new Witchcraft Statute of 1604) and acquitted.
Matters should, officially at least, have ended there, but Brian Gunter tried to re-open the case when James I, recently crowned king of England, and someone with a known interest in witchcraft, visited Oxford University in August 1605. Another of Gunter’s daughters was married to the Regius Professor of Divinity at Oxford, and it was probably though this connection that Brian Gunter was able to set up a meeting with the king. This proved to be a terrible miscalculation on Gunter’s part. James referred the investigation of the case to a team drawn from senior members of the Church of England, who at that time were developing a very cautious approach to witchcraft accusations and the related matters of demonic possession and exorcism. The upshot was that Brian and Anne Gunter were tried at Star Chamber for malicious prosecution, and the relevant dossier provides the richest documentation available for any witchcraft case in England – the standard records of English witch trials, unlike those generated by some continental jurisdictions, are usually very terse and lacking in detail. What I want to do in this talk is reconsider the Anne Gunter case so as to present the audience with some of the perhaps unexpected complications which arise when a witchcraft case is studied in detail, and to examine how the course of a witchcraft accusation could be shaped by a variety of contexts: those of the community in which the initial accusations arose, the legal system under which the supposed witches were tried, and the ecclesiastical politics and theological positions which were so often crucial in determining the course of a witchcraft accusation once it attracted the attention of officialdom.
Speaker Bio
James Sharpe completed his BA and DPhil in Modern History at the University of Oxford. After temporary posts at the Universities of Durham and Exeter he was appointed lecturer at the university of York in 1973, and continued to work there throughout his career, being promoted to a professorship in 1997. He has published twelve books and around sixty learned articles and essays. His initial work was in the history of crime in England in the early modern period, but he has also written extensively on early modern English witchcraft, his first major work on the subject being Instruments of Darkness, published in 1996, and focussing on the history of witchcraft in England c. 1550-1750. He retired in 2016, but remains research active, and is currently Professor Emeritus in Early Modern History at the University of York.
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With the kingdom on the brink of war, she finds herself in the middle of a power struggle between witches and sorcerers. As Elizabeth delves deeper into the secrets of her world, she uncovers dark truths about her past and the true nature of the war between witches and witch hunters. The final book in the series, "The Witch's Blood," brings Elizabeth's story to a thrilling conclusion. With the fate of the kingdom hanging in the balance, Elizabeth must make difficult choices and confront her own inner demons. As the war reaches its climax, she discovers shocking truths that will change everything she thought she knew about magic and her role as a witch hunter. Throughout the series, Virginia Boecker weaves a captivating tale filled with action, intrigue, and romance. The Witch Hunter series explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the power of choice. With its richly imagined world and compelling characters, this series is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. Overall, the Witch Hunter series is a thrilling and enjoyable read that will keep readers hooked from beginning to end. Through its blend of magic, mystery, and suspense, the series offers a fresh and unique take on the witch hunter genre. With its strong female protagonist and thought-provoking themes, this series is sure to resonate with readers of all ages..
Reviews for "Exploring the Themes of Good vs. Evil in the Witch Gunter Series"
1. Sean - 1/5
I found the Witch Gunter series to be incredibly boring and lacking in substance. The plot was disjointed and confusing, with characters that were difficult to care about. The writing style was dull and uninspired, making it a struggle to get through each chapter. Overall, I was extremely disappointed and would not recommend this series to anyone.
2. Emily - 2/5
While the Witch Gunter series had potential, it failed to live up to the hype. The characters lacked depth and development, making it hard to connect with them on any level. Additionally, the pacing was off, with long stretches of nothing happening followed by rushed and underwhelming action scenes. The world-building was also lacking, leaving me feeling uninvested in the story. Overall, I was underwhelmed by this series and wouldn't recommend it.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high hopes for the Witch Gunter series, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story had promise, but the execution was lackluster. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to believe in the characters' interactions. Additionally, the action scenes were overly descriptive and lacked intensity, leading to a sense of boredom instead of excitement. Overall, I found this series to be a disappointment and wouldn't recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1/5
The Witch Gunter series was a complete waste of time for me. The characters were one-dimensional and uninteresting, and the plot was predictable and cliché. It felt like a rehashing of so many other fantasy novels, without bringing anything new or unique to the table. The writing was also subpar, with clunky descriptions and awkward pacing. Overall, I regret reading this series and would not recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy story.
5. Rachel - 2/5
I had high expectations for the Witch Gunter series, but unfortunately, it fell short in many areas. The plot was confusing and convoluted, with too many unnecessary subplots and a lack of focus. The characters were forgettable and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. Furthermore, the writing style was dull and uninspiring, making it a chore to finish each book in the series. Overall, this series was a disappointment and not one I would recommend.