Essex Witches

by Peter C. Brown

Overview

Medieval folk had long suspected that the Devil was carrying out his work on earth with the help of his minions. In 1484, Pope Innocent VIII declared this to be true, which resulted in witch-hunts across Europe that lasted for nearly 200 years. In 1645, England – and Essex in particular – was in the grip of witch fever. Between 1560 and 1680, 317 women and 23 men were tried for witchcraft in Essex alone, and over 100 were hanged. Essex Witches includes biographies of many of the local common folk who were tried in the courts for their beliefs and practice in herbal remedies and potions, and for causing the deaths of neighbours and even family members. These unfortunate citizens suffered the harshest penalties for their alleged sorcery and demonic ways, and those punishments are recorded here.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780752499802
Publisher:	The History Press
Publication date:	10/01/2014
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	805,522
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.80(d)

Table of Contents

Introduction 7

1 England After the Tudors 9

2 What is Witchcraft? 16

3 Witches or Cunning Folk 19

4 Familiars and Witches' Marks 34

5 Potions and Remedies, Spells and Incantations 38

6 The Acts upon Witchcraft 46

7 The Assizes 52

8 Mathew Hopkins - The Witch-finder General 57

9 Confession and Torture 71

10 The Accused 83

11 Witches and Halloween 144

12 Dispelling the Myth 150

Glossary 156

Credits 158

Bibliography 159