A History of Witchcraft in England from 1558 to 1718

A detailed, readable chronicle follows the rise and fall of England’s witch‑craft hysteria from the first statutes under Elizabeth I through the final skeptical attacks of the early eighteenth century. By weaving together court records, pamphlets, and personal diaries, the narrative brings to life the towns and people caught up in accusations, trials, and executions, while also showing how politics, religion, and emerging scientific ideas shaped public fear.

The author treats each major case with careful chronology, offering insight into the shifting attitudes of officials, physicians, and everyday citizens. Along the way, readers encounter the confusing myths that long obscured the real history, as well as the gradual erosion of belief that led to the discipline’s quiet end. The result is a vivid portrait of a turbulent era, inviting listeners to explore how a once‑pervasive superstition unfolded and ultimately faded in English society.