Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.
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The rise and decline of witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe (1450-1650)
What will we cover?
We will begin by a brief look at the history of witchcraft in the ancient and medieval world and then move on to explore how and why witchcraft became associated with devil worship in the late fifteenth century as evidenced by the publication of the Malleus Maleficarum (Hammer of the Witches) in 1486. The purpose of the Malleus was to show that witchcraft existed, and to instruct magistrates on how to identify, interrogate and convict witches. We will look at transcripts of ‘confessions’ and compare examples of witch hunts and trials in England and on the Continent. We will explore the idea that witch hunts tended to take place in areas and periods where central control had largely broken down. For example, the activities of Matthew Hopkins, took place during the chaos of the English Civil War. Finally, we will look at the continuing debate as to why witch trials came to an end in the late 17th century. Did it mean that people had ceased believing in witchcraft and magic?
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Explain the significance of the Malleus Maleficarum on the rise of witch hunting.
Debate on the impact of the Reformation on witch hunting
Offer an opinion as to why three-quarters of all witch prosecutions occurred in Germany
Discuss reasons why women were vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft
Explain Brian Levack’s theory of judicial scepticism as a reason for the decline in witch hunting
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior knowledge is necessary, but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate. Most of the pre-session reading will be accompanied by questionnaires which we will go through in class. Participation in this activity is entirely voluntary.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You need only bring note-taking materials. All required reading materials will be provided. If you wish to purchase a book before class, you might look at Andrew Pickering, Different Interpretations of Witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe, c. 1560-c.1660 OR Brian Levack The Witchhunt in Early Modern Europe (various editions) OR Daniel Oldridge (ed.) The Witchcraft Reader (2nd edn.). A detailed bibliography will be distributed in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other European medieval and early modern history courses are starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website.
We’re sorry. We don’t have a bio ready for the tutor of this class at the moment, but we’re working on it! Watch this space.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/the-rise-and-fall-of-witch-hunting-1450-17002816460The Rise and Fall of Witch-hunting 1450-1700https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/i/witch-pdp.jpg139139GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history/Courses/vm/Halloween Courses/Courses/Halloween Courses228511771178118213482170112285117711781653<p>Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.</p><p> </p>002816394The Rise and Fall of Witch-hunting 1450-1700139139https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/i/witch-pdp_1.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHEH12139139The Rise and Fall of Witch-hunting 1450-170011190139Vanessa Kingthe-rise-and-fall-of-witch-hunting-1450-1700/heh12-2526<p>Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00<p>The rise and decline of witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe (1450-1650)</p><p>Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.</p><p> </p><p>We will begin by a brief look at the history of witchcraft in the ancient and medieval world and then move on to explore how and why witchcraft became associated with devil worship in the late fifteenth century as evidenced by the publication of the <em>Malleus Maleficarum </em>(Hammer of the Witches) in 1486. The purpose of the <em>Malleus </em>was to show that witchcraft existed, and to instruct magistrates on how to identify, interrogate and convict witches. We will look at transcripts of ‘confessions’ and compare examples of witch hunts and trials in England and on the Continent. We will explore the idea that witch hunts tended to take place in areas and periods where central control had largely broken down. For example, the activities of Matthew Hopkins, took place during the chaos of the English Civil War. Finally, we will look at the continuing debate as to why witch trials came to an end in the late 17th century. Did it mean that people had ceased believing in witchcraft and magic?</p><ul><li>Explain the significance of the <em>Malleus Maleficarum </em>on the rise of witch hunting.</li><li>Debate on the impact of the Reformation on witch hunting</li><li>Offer an opinion as to why three-quarters of all witch prosecutions occurred in Germany</li><li>Discuss reasons why women were vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft</li><li>Explain Brian Levack’s theory of judicial scepticism as a reason for the decline in witch hunting</li></ul><p> </p><p>No prior knowledge is necessary, but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate. Most of the pre-session reading will be accompanied by questionnaires which we will go through in class. Participation in this activity is entirely voluntary.</p><p>You need only bring note-taking materials. All required reading materials will be provided. If you wish to purchase a book before class, you might look at Andrew Pickering, <em>Different Interpretations of Witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe, c. 1560-c.1660 </em>OR Brian Levack <em>The Witchhunt in Early Modern Europe </em>(various editions) OR Daniel Oldridge (ed.) <em>The Witchcraft Reader </em>(2nd edn.). A detailed bibliography will be distributed in class.</p><p>Other European medieval and early modern history courses are starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyvirtual11113990HEH12NONEMon20/04/26 - 18/05/2615:15 - 17:1515:1517:154 sessions (over 5 weeks)41 to 4 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetVanessa KingAvailable courses2026-04-20T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeApr 2026Culture, history & humanities139139The Rise and Fall of Witch-hunting 1450-1700the-rise-and-fall-of-witch-hunting-1450-1700/heh12-2526<p>Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.</p><p> </p>0000-Available|2026-04-20 00:00:00<p>The rise and decline of witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe (1450-1650)</p><p>Trace the history of witchcraft and magic, the power to do good or evil by supernatural means, from the Ancient World to the witch hunt trials of sixteenth and seventeenth-century Europe.</p><p> </p><p>We will begin by a brief look at the history of witchcraft in the ancient and medieval world and then move on to explore how and why witchcraft became associated with devil worship in the late fifteenth century as evidenced by the publication of the <em>Malleus Maleficarum </em>(Hammer of the Witches) in 1486. The purpose of the <em>Malleus </em>was to show that witchcraft existed, and to instruct magistrates on how to identify, interrogate and convict witches. We will look at transcripts of ‘confessions’ and compare examples of witch hunts and trials in England and on the Continent. We will explore the idea that witch hunts tended to take place in areas and periods where central control had largely broken down. For example, the activities of Matthew Hopkins, took place during the chaos of the English Civil War. Finally, we will look at the continuing debate as to why witch trials came to an end in the late 17th century. Did it mean that people had ceased believing in witchcraft and magic?</p><ul><li>Explain the significance of the <em>Malleus Maleficarum </em>on the rise of witch hunting.</li><li>Debate on the impact of the Reformation on witch hunting</li><li>Offer an opinion as to why three-quarters of all witch prosecutions occurred in Germany</li><li>Discuss reasons why women were vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft</li><li>Explain Brian Levack’s theory of judicial scepticism as a reason for the decline in witch hunting</li></ul><p> </p><p>No prior knowledge is necessary, but a good understanding of English is essential. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>Each week there will be a PowerPoint presentation and a seminar-style discussion of original sources (in translation) pertinent to the topic. You are invited to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group. You will be encouraged to do homework reading to foster debate. Most of the pre-session reading will be accompanied by questionnaires which we will go through in class. Participation in this activity is entirely voluntary.</p><p>You need only bring note-taking materials. All required reading materials will be provided. If you wish to purchase a book before class, you might look at Andrew Pickering, <em>Different Interpretations of Witch-hunting in Early Modern Europe, c. 1560-c.1660 </em>OR Brian Levack <em>The Witchhunt in Early Modern Europe </em>(various editions) OR Daniel Oldridge (ed.) <em>The Witchcraft Reader </em>(2nd edn.). A detailed bibliography will be distributed in class.</p><p>Other European medieval and early modern history courses are starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryEuropean historyconfigurable
11821178European historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/european-history1/2/285/1177/1178/11821/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/European history
