Witchcraft history books are invaluable resources for those interested in the study and understanding of witchcraft throughout different time periods. These books provide a comprehensive look into the practices, beliefs, and persecution of witches throughout history, helping readers gain insight into the often misunderstood world of witches. One of the earliest and most well-known witchcraft history books is "Malleus Maleficarum" (The Hammer of Witches) by Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, published in 1487. This text became the standard manual for witch-hunting and greatly influenced the witchcraft trials and persecutions that occurred during the European witch-hunts of the 15th-18th centuries. It is a fascinating, yet disturbing, account of how fear and paranoia can drive societies to persecute innocent people. Another important witchcraft history book is "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe" by Margaret Murray, published in 1921.
Another responded: "What irritates me is the fact that non-witches/Wiccans seem to determine what offends us witch/Wiccans. I think they should ask us whether or not witch costumes offend us or not. Personally I like witch costumes. I wear one every Halloween."
The costume comes with a vinyl noose for maximum morbid fun, according to the Party City website, which describes the getup as the only costume you ll need to hang onto. People gathered together, feasting and telling stories; they lit bonfires to rejuvenate the sun; they recalled and evoked their ancestors and foretold the future.
Another important witchcraft history book is "The Witch-Cult in Western Europe" by Margaret Murray, published in 1921. Murray was a prominent Egyptologist who believed that witchcraft was a surviving pagan religion and argued that the witch trials were actually a persecution of a secret witch cult. Although her theories have been widely criticized and debunked, her book sparked a renewed interest in witchcraft and influenced many subsequent studies on the subject.
The Stewarts and the Supernatural
This Halloween we take you on a special tour around the castle, following its most famous residents and their beliefs and superstitions.
Halloween, originally called Samhain in Scotland, is a winter festival. Traditionally, it marks the point when summer becomes winter. Similar festivals existed all over northern Europe. The Anglo-Saxons had ‘Blood-Month’ and the Norse ‘the Winter Nights.’ These celebrations could occur anywhere between mid-October and mid-November depending on the region.
Halloween Traditions
Halloween is and was always a good excuse for a party. Samhain or Halloween was a time when people believed supernatural creatures such as fairies, witches and ghosts abounded and they disguised themselves to ward off these perceived supernatural forces. People gathered together, feasting and telling stories; they lit bonfires to rejuvenate the sun; they recalled and evoked their ancestors and foretold the future.
We still do this today: we dook for apples as they bob in a basin of water. Why? Because apples were knowledge-bringing sacred fruit, they grew in the Celtic Paradise, Avalon, and became associated with Eden’s Tree of Knowledge. Tradition says apples could be used to learn about future partners at Halloween. Nuts too, like apples abundant in autumn, were used to test the future vitality of relationships in Halloween rituals.
James V
Perhaps the best known tradition associated with Halloween is that of dressing up in a scary costume, visiting neighbours and performing a story, song or joke in return for treats. This activity is called guising in Scotland. Tradition has it that James V himself famously liked to dress up, as the Gudeman o’ Ballengeich, and go down to the villages below the castle and mingle with his subjects.
On the side of James V’s Palace you can see the most macabre figure of them all. The Devil can be found right in the middle of the southern façade, overlooking the main approach to the castle. As this was the most likely point of attack, could the carving have been intended to frighten off the enemy?
The Palace was later home to Mary Queen of Scots, and her son, James VI.
The devil defending Stirling Castle from attack
Mary Queen of Scots
Today a black cape, broomstick and pointy hat are a popular choice of Halloween costume. But the history of so-called witches and witchcraft is a dark one, which resulted in the torture and death of many innocent people.
During Mary’s reign the 1563 Witchcraft Act came into force, the first civil law against witches in Scotland. It condemned to death all those accused of witchcraft or even consulting witches. It was far more draconian than Elizabeth Tudor’s Witchcraft Act, which only made the practitioner guilty, reserving the death sentence for those who allegedly killed by magical means.
The world’s oldest football, dating to Mary’s reign, was found in Stirling Castle, in the rafters above the Queen’s bedchamber. Some believe that this might have been an unlikely charm against witchcraft. Children’s toys were sometimes used in this manner, being associated with the purity and innocence of children.
There are potential witch marks, signs to ward off the evil influence of witches, in the Palace. On the main door you might spot a mark with the linked initials AMV, Ave Maria Virginus. On the inside of the door to the King’s closets a circular mark with a petal-like design of a marigold can be seen. It has been suggested that these marks may date to James VI’s reign rather than Mary’s, especially as James is said to have had a strong interest in the supernatural.
James VI
James VI had a particularly strong desire for such protection. He believed witches had tried to kill him and his wife, Anne of Denmark, by trying to raise a storm as they returned from Denmark in 1590. This had serious implications for the accused at the time. The following year he led an enquiry into the case of these so-called witches. Nearly 100 people were charged as a result. James even wrote a book on witchcraft called Daemonologie, sparking off another major witch-hunt in 1597.
Interestingly, it’s suggested when James VI moved to England in 1603, his attitude became more sceptical. By the 1700s people generally began questioning the use of torture to extract confessions – and the existence of witches altogether. In 1735 a new Witchcraft Act replaced the 1563 Act. The crime of witchcraft now became that of pretending to be a witch. The maximum sentence was a year in prison rather than execution.
The Story Continues…
We still enjoy a good story about fairies, ghosts, witches and magicians (just look at the phenomena of Harry Potter). Lots of people enjoy a party at Halloween. Our ancestors were fascinated by the supernatural and built their own customs and traditions based on their beliefs.
About the author
Russel Moran is guide and steward at Stirling Castle. He previously worked as a steward at other Historic Scotland sites, including Inchcolm Abbey, Aberdour Castle and Dunfermline Abbey and Palace.
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In more recent years, "Witchcraft Today" by Gerald Gardner, published in 1954, played a significant role in the revival of witchcraft as a modern religion known as Wicca. Gardner's book introduced the concept of Wicca and its practices, ultimately leading to the formation of numerous covens and the growth of Wiccan communities worldwide. Furthermore, "The Witch: A History of Fear, from Ancient Times to the Present" by Ronald Hutton, published in 2017, provides a comprehensive and scholarly account of the history of witchcraft. Hutton examines witchcraft beliefs and practices from ancient times to the present, exploring the social, cultural, and political factors that shaped these beliefs and the subsequent persecution of witches. Overall, witchcraft history books offer a unique perspective into the world of witchcraft, allowing readers to explore and understand the evolution of beliefs, practices, and societal attitudes towards witches throughout different periods of history. These books are essential resources for anyone interested in learning about this fascinating and often misrepresented topic..
Reviews for "The Witch Trials of Europe: From Witch-hunters to Cunning Folk"
1. Emily - 2 stars: I was really disappointed with this book. I was expecting a comprehensive history of witchcraft, but instead, it felt like a disjointed collection of random facts. The information was not presented in a cohesive manner, and it was difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Additionally, the writing style was dry and boring, which made it even more challenging to stay engaged. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for an in-depth exploration of witchcraft.
2. Mark - 1 star: I found this book to be extremely biased in its portrayal of witchcraft. The author seemed to rely heavily on stereotypes and misconceptions, painting a negative and inaccurate picture of witches. Moreover, the book lacked research and evidence to support its claims, making it feel more like a work of fiction than a historical account. I was hoping for a more objective and scholarly approach, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
3. Sarah - 2 stars: This book was a major letdown for me. Instead of providing a comprehensive history of witchcraft, it focused mostly on European witch trials and neglected to explore other cultures' beliefs and practices. The information presented was one-sided and failed to provide a holistic understanding of witchcraft throughout history. Furthermore, the author's writing style was dense and overly academic, making it challenging to stay engaged. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a well-rounded exploration of witchcraft.
4. Michael - 2 stars: I was expecting a thought-provoking and insightful book about witchcraft's historical significance, but unfortunately, this was not the case. The author seemed more interested in sensationalism than providing accurate information. There were numerous inaccuracies and misleading statements throughout the book, which significantly diminished its credibility. The lack of thorough research was evident, and I found myself questioning the validity of the author's claims. Overall, I was disappointed by this book and would not recommend it to others.