Witch hunts have long been a dark stain on humanity's history. From the Salem witch trials to the persecution of those deemed witches in Europe, these events have resulted in the senseless loss of innocent lives. The glom in the corner metaphorically signifies how easily society can glom onto a perceived threat, turning a blind eye to reason and evidence. The term "witch hunt" refers to a phenomenon where individuals or groups are unfairly and irrationally targeted and accused of engaging in harmful or malicious activities. These targeted "witches" often become scapegoats for larger societal issues or fears. The glom in the corner represents the person or group that is wrongly accused and left in a vulnerable position.
By the end of the Middle Ages, a view of women as especially susceptible to witchcraft had emerged. The notion that a witch might travel by broomstick (especially when contrasted with the male who conjures a demon horse on which to ride) underscores the domestic sphere to which women belonged.
The notion that a witch might travel by broomstick especially when contrasted with the male who conjures a demon horse on which to ride underscores the domestic sphere to which women belonged. Flying through the skies on a broomstick, the popular image of a witch is as a predominantly female figure so much so that the costume has become the go-to Halloween outfit for women and girls alike.
The glom in the corner represents the person or group that is wrongly accused and left in a vulnerable position. Throughout history, witch hunts have often been fueled by deeply ingrained societal fears and prejudices. In the case of the Salem witch trials, for example, the accused were often individuals who did not conform to the established norms of society.
A very brief history of witches by Suzannah Lipscomb
Between 1482 and 1782, thousands of people across Europe – most of them women – were accused of witchcraft and subsequently executed. But why were so many innocent people suspected of such a crime? Historian and broadcaster Suzannah Lipscomb explores the history of witches.
- Professor Suzannah Lipscomb
Witches are everywhere. In fairytales, fantasy and satire, they appear time and again as a versatile synonym for evil and transgression. But, in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, men and women of both high and low status believed in witches’ ubiquity in a far more disturbing way. Lord chief justice Anderson noted in 1602: “The land is full of witches… they abound in all places” – not as a symbol or figure of fun, but as a deadly threat to life, livelihood and divine order.
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Witches in numbers: how many people were killed?
The large-scale persecution, prosecution and execution of witches in these centuries was an extraordinary phenomenon. It is also an episode of European history that has spawned many myths and much inaccuracy. Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code is one of the purveyors of such erroneous hype, stating: “The church burned at the stake an astounding 5 million women”, which would be astounding if true. The actual numbers are far lower, but still striking: between 1482 and 1782, around 100,000 people across Europe were accused of witchcraft, and some 40–50,000 were executed.
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Neither were witches (with the exception of some targeted by the Spanish Inquisition) generally persecuted by the church. Although belief in witches was orthodox doctrine, following Exodus 22.18, the 16th and 17th-century witch trials were the result of witchcraft becoming a crime under law, and witches were prosecuted by the state. In England, witchcraft became a crime in 1542, a statute renewed in 1562 and 1604. As such, most witches across Europe received the usual penalty for murder – hanging (though in Scotland and under the Spanish Inquisition witches were burned).
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Male witches
Nor were all witches women – men could be witches too. Across Europe, 70–80 per cent of people accused of witchcraft were female – though the proportions of female witches were higher in certain areas: the bishopric of Basel; the county of Namur (modern Belgium); Hungary; Poland; and Essex, England. But one in five witches were male across Europe, and in some places, males predominated – in Moscow, male witches outnumbered women 7:3; in Normandy 3:1.
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Nevertheless, because women were believed to be morally and spiritually weaker than men, they were thought to be particularly vulnerable to diabolic persuasion. Most of those accused were also poor and elderly; many were widows, and menopausal and post-menopausal women are disproportionally represented among them.
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In my two-part series, Witch Hunt: A Century of Murder (which aired in October 2015 on Channel 5), we seek to investigate witchcraft prosecution in the British Isles. Although witchcraft trials happened in every county in the country, the best evidence survives from three major witch crazes in the British Isles – in 1590s Edinburgh; 1612 Lancashire; and 1640s Essex and East Anglia, and we focus on those.
James VI and I
Above all, we have tried to consider the perspective of the victims – that is, those who were accused of witchcraft. We consider the circumstances in which alleged witches were accused, and the power of both neighbourhood accusation and elite sanction (James VI and I’s book on the subject of witchcraft, Daemonologie, published in 1597, is a case in point). We examine the way that torture – though illegal in England – was employed in late 16th-century Scotland and during the upheaval of the Civil War. We explore the role of the witchfinder, but also the willing collaboration of ordinary people in ridding the land of witches. And we look at what someone accused of witchcraft experienced as their fate.
It is a sad, sorry and often harrowing tale – but it is one that needs to be heard.
Suzannah Lipscomb is professor of history at the University of Roehampton and is the writer and presenter of 13 TV history documentary series . You can follow Lipscomb on Twitter @sixteenthCgirl or visit her website suzannahlipscomb.com.
AdvertisementThis article was first published on HistoryExtra in 2015
Some wicked women, turning back to Satan and seduced by the illusions and phantasms of demons, believe [that] in the night hours they ride on certain animals with the pagan goddess Diana and a countless multitude of women, and they cross a great span of the world in the stillness of the dead of night.
They were typically women or marginalized individuals who challenged the traditional power structures and beliefs. The glom in the corner, representing the wrongly accused, is left to face the consequences of this mob mentality. They may be subjected to ostracization, violence, or even death. Their pleas for justice and reason are often drowned out by the hysteria surrounding them. Sadly, witch hunts continue to occur, even in modern times. Just as in the past, these hunts are often driven by fear, ignorance, and a desire to find someone to blame for societal issues or unrest. The glom in the corner serves as a reminder that innocent individuals can easily become victims of this paranoia and prejudice. It is important for society to remain vigilant against witch hunts and to critically examine the evidence and motives behind accusations. By challenging our biases and being open to dialogue and reason, we can work towards a more just and inclusive society. Only then can we ensure that the glom in the corner will no longer be subject to the unjust consequences of these hunts..
Reviews for "Witch Hunts in Pop Culture: What Are We Fascinated By?"
1. John - 1 out of 5 stars
I did not enjoy "Witch Hunt the Glom in the Corner" at all. The storyline was confusing and lacked coherence. The characters were underdeveloped and I struggled to find any connection with them. The writing style was also difficult to follow, with long-winded descriptions that didn't contribute much to the overall plot. Overall, I found it to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars
I had high hopes for "Witch Hunt the Glom in the Corner" based on the synopsis, but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The pacing was uneven, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The plot itself had potential, but the execution was lackluster. The dialogue was often awkward and unrealistic, making it difficult to fully engage with the story. While the concept was interesting, the book ultimately failed to capture my attention and I struggled to finish it.
3. Lisa - 1 out of 5 stars
I regret picking up "Witch Hunt the Glom in the Corner". The writing was extremely amateurish, filled with cliches and repetitive descriptions. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked any depth or relatability. The plot was predictable and uninspiring, offering no surprises or twists. I found myself skimming through most of the book, bored and uninterested in the outcome. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written story.