The witch-panic phenomenon reached the more remote parts of Europe as well as North America later in the 17th century, among them being the Salzburg witch trials, the Swedish Torsåker witch trials and, in 1692, the Salem witch trials in Colonial New England.

Sep 12, 2017 · Witches were perceived as evil beings by early Christians in Europe, inspiring the iconic Halloween figure. Images of witches have appeared in various forms throughout history—from evil, wart-nosed...

During the early modern period, witch hunts became widespread in Europe, partly fueled by religious tensions, societal anxieties, and economic upheaval. European belief in witchcraft gradually dwindled during and after the Age of Enlightenment.

Mar 27, 2025 · From the wicked witch of children's stories to Halloween and present-day Wiccan groups, witches and witchcraft still fascinate observers of Western culture. Witches were believed to affect climatological catastrophes, put spells on their neighbors, and cavort with the devil.

Witchcraft was not made a capital offence in Britain until 1563 although it was deemed heresy and was denounced as such by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. From 1484 until around 1750 some 200,000 witches were tortured, burnt or hanged in Western Europe. Most supposed witches were usually old women, and invariably poor.

Witch trials and witch related accusations were at a high during the early modern period in Britain, a time that spanned from the beginning of the 16th century to the end of the 18th century.

Sep 6, 2024 · The witch-hunts were a tragic episode in human history, fueled by fear, superstition, and misogyny. The phrase “They weren’t witches, they were women” serves as a powerful reminder of the injustice and cruelty that characterised these persecutions.

It was found during roof repairs on the former home of Angeline Tubbs — an accused witch in the 18th century. ... to be left alone didn’t mean that people had stopped fearing witches in the 1800s.

Oct 25, 2019 · In the 1800s, two women embraced witchy spirituality—and made major art-historical advances. British artist Georgiana Houghton (born in 1814) made “spirit drawings,” or layered watercolors with swirls of colors.

From June through September of 1692, nineteen men and women, all having been convicted of witchcraft, were carted to Gallows Hill for hanging. Hundreds of others faced accusations of witchcraft. Then, almost as soon as it had begun, the hysteria that swept through Puritan Massachusetts ended.