The Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set is a fantastic toy that allows children to engage in imaginative play. This play set features a variety of activities that can keep children entertained for hours. The main idea is that this play set provides a magical and interactive experience for children. One of the standout features of this play set is the magic wand. The wand can be used to make different elements of the play set come to life. For example, when the wand is waved over the cauldron, the water inside begins to bubble and change colors.
Witch-hunts in early modern Europe (circa 1450-1750)
In this article we will take a look at the European witch hunts of circa 1450-1750, and their gender-selective aspects. Although both men and women were accused and executed for witchcraft in Europe during this era, roughly 75%-80% of those exposed to trial and execution were women.
It should be noted that when we study the pre-modern European witch craze, we find great variation over time and between different regions of Europe. The frenzy of the witch-hunts waxed and waned for roughly 300 years, and the dynamics – including gender-dynamics – could also vary greatly from one locality to the next. As an example, we know of only four executions for witchcraft in Ireland, while over 25,000 witches were killed in Germany. (Source: Jenny Gibbons, “Recent Developments in the Study of the Great European Witch Hunt”.) In England, over 90% of those accused of witchcraft were women, while Estonia had women accounting for less than half of those accused, and in Iceland only 10% of those accused of witchcraft were women. (Source: Robin Briggs, “Witches & Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft”, pp. 260-61.)
The immense over-representation of women as victims in witch-trials and witch-executions in England (and in its colonies in North America) is probably one of the reasons why the English-speaking world tend to strongly associate witches, witch-trials and with-hunts with female victims. In essence, the English regional experience has been assumed, at least by English-speakers, to be typical for Europe as a whole.
For example, when the wand is waved over the cauldron, the water inside begins to bubble and change colors. This interactive element adds a level of excitement that children will love. Another great feature of this play set is the included figures and accessories.
Were 9 million women burned as witches?
Is it true that 9 million women were burned as witches in Europe from the 14th to the 17th century CE? It is a frequently quoted number in non-academic literature, but it is not based on solid academic research. Instead, modern research points to roughly 40,000 to 50,000 witch executions in Europe between 1450 and 1750, and an estimated 75%-80% of those executed were women. That would put the number of executed women witches at 40,000 or less.
“The most dramatic [recent] changes in our vision of the Great Hunt [have] centred on the death toll,” notes researcher Jenny Gibbons, who points out that estimates made prior to the mid-1970s, when detailed research into trial records began, were almost 100% pure speculation. (Source: Jenny Gibbons, “Recent Developments in the Study of the Great European Witch Hunt”.)
One of the researchers who have worked to unveil and publish more accurate numbers is Robin Briggs.
“On the wilder shores of the feminist and witch-cult movements,” writes Briggs, “a potent myth has become established, to the effect that 9 million women were burned as witches in Europe; gendercide rather than genocide. This is an overestimate by a factor of up to 200, for the most reasonable modern estimates suggest perhaps 100,000 trials between 1450 and 1750, with something between 40,000 and 50,000 executions, of which 20 to 25 per cent were men. (…) “these figures are chilling enough, but they have to be set in the context of what was probably the harshest period of capital punishments in European history.” (Source: Robin Briggs, “Witches & Neighbours: The Social and Cultural Context of European Witchcraft”, p.8)
Researcher Brian Levack put the number of witch trials at approximately 110,000. It should be noted that this number is for trials, not convictions or executions. In many cases, Levack found evidence that a trial had occurred, but could not find information about its outcome. (Source: Brian Levack, “The Witch-Hunt in Early Modern Europe”)
The set comes with a wizard figure and a dragon figure, as well as other magical items like a cauldron and a spell book. These figures and accessories can be used to create different scenarios and stories during playtime. The play set also includes a spinning potion bottle, which adds an element of surprise and discovery. Children can spin the bottle to see what concoction it lands on, and then use their imagination to imagine what that potion could do. The main idea is that the Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set provides children with an interactive and imaginative play experience. This play set encourages children to use their creativity and problem-solving skills as they engage in pretend play. Whether they are waving the magic wand, creating potions, or telling stories with the figures, children are sure to have a magical time with this play set..
Reviews for "Why the Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set Is Perfect for Small Spaces"
- Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I was really disappointed with the Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set. The pieces were just too small and fragile for my liking. My toddler kept breaking them within seconds of playing with them. Plus, the set didn't come with enough pieces to keep my child entertained for very long. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this playset.
- Mark - 1 out of 5 stars - I had high hopes for the Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set, but it was a complete letdown. The quality of the materials was very poor, and the set started falling apart after just a few uses. The tinkering noises it made were annoying and drove me crazy. Save your money and buy something better.
- Jessica - 2 out of 5 stars - My child was excited to receive the Little Tikes Magical Workshop Tabletop Play Set, but the excitement quickly faded. The set was difficult to assemble, and the instructions were unclear. It didn't hold my child's interest for very long, and the noises it made were more annoying than enjoyable. Overall, I wouldn't purchase this playset again.