The witch hunt in early modern Europe was a dark and tumultuous period in history. Spanning from the 15th to the 18th centuries, it was marked by widespread fear and paranoia surrounding witchcraft and the supernatural. Although the exact number of victims is unknown, estimates range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of people, the majority of whom were women. During this time, belief in witchcraft was deeply ingrained in European society. It was believed that witches made pacts with the devil, gained supernatural powers, and used them to harm others. The fears of witchcraft were fueled by religious fervor, social unrest, and the desire for control and order.
This native deciduous shrub produces fragrant white flower spikes on graceful arching stems. Oval green foliage turns brilliant orange-red in fall. Plant this low-maintenance shrub in a woodland border, native garden, or mass in the landscape. Learn more about growing sweetspire shrubs.
Zones 4-8 Exposure Full sun to partial shade Growth habit Compact mounding habit Height Spread 18 to 24 inches tall, 18 to 30 inches wide Bloom time Late spring to early summer. Zones 5-9 Exposure Full sun to partial shade Growth habit Compact mounding habit Height Spread 24 to 30 inches tall, 24 to 36 inches wide Bloom time Spring.
The fears of witchcraft were fueled by religious fervor, social unrest, and the desire for control and order. As a result, a mass hysteria developed, leading to a wave of accusations, trials, and executions. Accusations of witchcraft often stemmed from personal conflicts, neighborly disputes, or perceived deviations from societal norms.
GREAT NEW PLANTS FOR 2016: SHRUBS EDITION
A couple weeks ago, I shared some new annuals for 2016, and today I’m sharing new shrubs that look interesting.
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1. Petite Pillar Dwarf Boxwood: Plant producers are smart to be working on new boxwood introductions because I still think it’s the single hottest shrub of the moment. This one grows in a naturally columnar shape, topping out at 2 to 3 feet. Buxus microphylla ‘MonAlex’: Zones 5-9, full to part sun, 2-3 feet tall x 2 feet wide.
2. At Last Rose: This apricot beauty is said to have the disease resistance and low-maintenance needs of popular landscape roses such as Oso Easy and Knockout roses, but unlike others, doesn’t lack the rose scent. It has a lot of petals so it takes on an old rose look. I’ll admit, I’m wary of scent descriptions, but if this one is all it is cracked up to be, it’ll have a spot in my garden. Rosa x ‘Horcogjil’: Zones 5-9, full sun, 30-36 inches tall and wide.
3. Loropetalum Jazz Hands Dwarf Pink: I can’t grow this little dark-foliage beauty, but I sure wish I could. What more could you want in a plant: gorgeous purple foliage, hot pink dainty flowers and all in a package that can fit in a container or at the front of the border. Loropetalum chinese ‘Kurenai’: Zones 7b-9b, full to part sun, 1-3 feet tall x 3 feet wide.
4. Lil’ Ditty Witherod Viburnum: So many shrubs are being downsized these days, which makes sense as the popularity of small-space gardening grows. This diminutive viburnum is another front-of-the-border charmer with fluffy white flowers that can grow a healthy crop of fruit so long as a pollinating plant is nearby (Viburnum nudum ‘Brandywine’ is one). It’s super hardy and, like most viburnums, a cinch to grow. Viburnum cassinoides ‘SMVCDD’: Zones 3-8, part sun, 1-2 feet tall and wide
5. Moonlight Parfait Winter Daphne: Foliage shrubs are way too often overlooked, but they are so important in a garden. The amazing variegated foliage on this daphne will brighten up any partially shaded corner. It does get sweet-smelling pink flowers, but honestly they are an afterthought when the foliage is this pretty. Daphne odora ‘Monstrik’: Zones 7-9, full shade to partial sun, 3-4 feet tall and wide.
6. Gatsby Pink Oakleaf Hydrangea: You are probably impressed that I managed to get through this list with just one hydrangea on it. Gatsby Pink was my pick to win Shrub Madness and I was really wrong. It was out in the second round, but I still think it’s a phenomenal plant. First of all, oak-leaf hydrangeas are lovely. They have interesting foliage that usually gets a nice color change in fall. The long flowers look like a combination of a paniculata hydrangea and a lacecap, and start white but quickly turn pink. Hydrangea quercifolia ‘JoAnn’: Zones 5-9, part sun, 6-8 feet tall and wide.
What new shrubs are you hoping to add to your garden this year?
Zones: 5-9 Exposure: Full sun
Growth habit: Upright compact habit
Height/Spread: 2 to 3 feet tall and wide
Bloom time: Late summer to fall
Mass hysteria would often result in witch hunts, where communities would band together to identify and persecute alleged witches. They would employ various methods to extract confessions, such as torture, leading to a high rate of false confessions and wrongful executions. The accused witches were often subjected to cruel and inhumane treatment. They would be stripped, searched for "witch's marks," and subjected to humiliating examinations. Most commonly, they would be subjected to various forms of torture, including the infamous "witch's chair" or "witch's bridle," designed to extract confessions or force them to name other alleged witches. The torture methods used during witch trials were often brutal and resulted in severe physical and psychological trauma. The witch trials were not limited to a specific region or country but spread throughout Europe, with particular intensity in regions like Germany, Switzerland, and France. Authorities, such as judges and clergy, participated in the trials, further legitimizing the process. The trials were characterized by biased investigations, lack of due process, and subjective criteria for determining guilt or innocence. The witch hunt eventually began to decline in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Enlightenment thinkers and intellectuals called attention to the irrationality and injustice of the trials, leading to a reevaluation of beliefs in witchcraft. The decline of the witch hunt can also be attributed to political and social changes, such as the rise of the nation-state and the gradual secularization of Europe. The witch hunt in early modern Europe remains a haunting reminder of the power of fear, prejudice, and ignorance. It serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of mass hysteria and the need to uphold principles of justice and reason, even in the face of societal unrest. The victims of the witch trials should be remembered and honored as a testament to the resilience and courage of those who stood against injustice..
Reviews for "The Political and Religious Climate of Early Modern Europe and its Impact on the Witch Hunt"
1. John - 2 stars - I found "The witch hunt in early modern Europe" to be incredibly dull and lacking in depth. The author seemed more interested in listing statistics and facts rather than providing any meaningful analysis or interpretation of the subject matter. The writing style was dry and monotonous, making it difficult for me to stay engaged with the book. I was hoping for a more comprehensive exploration of the socio-political factors that contributed to the witch hunts, but instead, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unenlightened. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of this dark period in history.
2. Emma - 3 stars - While "The witch hunt in early modern Europe" had its merits, I found the author's arguments to be somewhat weak and unconvincing. It felt like the book was trying to cover too much ground without providing enough evidence or analysis. Additionally, the organization of the chapters was confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. I appreciated the effort to shed light on this often overlooked topic, but I believe there are better books out there that delve deeper into the complexities of the witch hunts. Overall, it was an average read, but I wasn't blown away by the author's approach or insights.
3. Sarah - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "The witch hunt in early modern Europe." The author's writing was verbose and overly academic, making it inaccessible to the average reader. It seemed like the book was written for scholars and experts in the field, rather than for a general audience. Additionally, the author's arguments were repetitive and lacked fresh perspectives. The book offered little in terms of new insights or interpretations of the subject matter. Overall, I found it to be a tedious and uninspiring read, and I would not recommend it to anyone seeking a captivating exploration of the witch hunts.