I have been an errant blogger! For this, I apologize. Let me make it up to you with free books about Witchcraft during the Renaissance in Europe!
Syracuse University has digitized Matteo Duni's comprehensive work on the subject, Under the Devil's Spell: Witches, Sorcerers, and the Inquisition in Renaissance Italy. While it is at time heavy-handed, and evidently an exercise in Duni's strong opinions on the Medieval Era and post Medieval Europe, the scope of information is extensive. Duni covers the trials that are so important in contemporary history, as well as research done by Medieval and Renaissance scholars and philosophers on the types of magic being practiced.
Syracuse University has digitized Matteo Duni's comprehensive work on the subject, Under the Devil's Spell: Witches, Sorcerers, and the Inquisition in Renaissance Italy. While it is at time heavy-handed, and evidently an exercise in Duni's strong opinions on the Medieval Era and post Medieval Europe, the scope of information is extensive. Duni covers the trials that are so important in contemporary history, as well as research done by Medieval and Renaissance scholars and philosophers on the types of magic being practiced.
A shorter work is Emily Oster's paper from the Journal of Economic Perspectives, put online by the University of Chicago. Witchcraft, Weather and Economic Growth in Renaissance Europe begins by explaining that modern histories are unclear on the root of the perceived need for Witchcraft trials in Europe. Oster posits the trials were a sort of scapegoating for sudden economic downturn in Europe, due to changing climate conditions. It is really a very different examination of witchcraft than I have ever before seen.
Elliott P. Currie's essay Crimes Without Criminals: Witchcarft and its Control in Renaissance Europe, explores the legal side of the practice (or perceived practice) of Witchcraft in Europe. Currie writes a "Sociological study of deviant behavior." The paper is hosted online by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Jstor.
It is irresponsible to talk about Witchcraft in the West without discussing the implications beliefs surrounding it had on the lives of women. Unfortunately, there is very little free information to be found online about it in the form of published works. For a taster, History Today subscribers can read an article by Dale Hoak. Otherwise, if anyone can find free, published works online on this topic, please send them my way!
Still Searching!
Elliott P. Currie's essay Crimes Without Criminals: Witchcarft and its Control in Renaissance Europe, explores the legal side of the practice (or perceived practice) of Witchcraft in Europe. Currie writes a "Sociological study of deviant behavior." The paper is hosted online by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Jstor.
It is irresponsible to talk about Witchcraft in the West without discussing the implications beliefs surrounding it had on the lives of women. Unfortunately, there is very little free information to be found online about it in the form of published works. For a taster, History Today subscribers can read an article by Dale Hoak. Otherwise, if anyone can find free, published works online on this topic, please send them my way!
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| 'Witches Prepare a Magic Ointment' 1571 |
