Witchcraft, magic and superstition in England, 1640-1670
This thesis examines the relationship between eÌlite and popular beliefs in witchcraft, magic and superstition in England. In particular, these issues are considered against the background of political, religious and social upheaval characteristic of the Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration periods. Throughout the work it is stressed that deeply held superstitions were fundamental to belief in witches, the devil, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural healing. In addition the way such superstitions were used by both political and religious authorities is examined. Despite the fact that popular - superstitions were often condemned, it was recognised that their propaganda value was too useful to ignore. A host of pamphlets and treatises was published during this period unashamedly incorporating such beliefs. The employment of demonic imagery and language in such polemics may not have been officially sanctioned, but it had the advantage of at least being easily understood and recognised by most people. The work is divided into an introduction, seven chapters, a conclusion and three appendices. Chapter 1 looks at the religious and political background to witchcraft belief and justifies the period chosen. Chapter
Valletta, Frederick Victor Alfred
History
Witchcraft, magic and superstition in England, 1640-1670. This thesis examines the relationship between eÌlite and popular beliefs in witchcraft, magic and superstition in England. In particular, these issues are considered against the background of political, religious and social upheaval characteristic of the Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration periods. Throughout the work it is stressed that deeply held superstitions were fundamental to belief in witches, the devil, ghosts, apparitions and supernatural healing. In addition the way such superstitions were used by both political and religious authorities is examined. Despite the fact that popular - superstitions were often condemned, it was recognised that their propaganda value was too useful to ignore. A host of pamphlets and treatises was published during this period unashamedly incorporating such beliefs. The employment of demonic imagery and language in such polemics may not have been officially sanctioned, but it had the advantage of at least being easily understood and recognised by most people. The work is divided into an introduction, seven chapters, a conclusion and three appendices. Chapter 1 looks at the religious and political background to witchcraft belief and justifies the period chosen. Chapter
witchcraft magic superstition england examines_relationship popular belief witchcraft magic superstition england particular issue_consider background political_religious social upheaval characteristic civil_war interregnum restoration period throughout work stress deeply held superstition fundamental belief witch ghost supernatural healing addition way superstition use political_religious authority examine despite_fact popular superstition often condemn recognise propaganda value useful ignore host pamphlet treatises published period incorporate belief employment demonic imagery language polemic may officially sanction advantage least easily understood recognised people work_divide introduction conclusion appendix look religious_political background witchcraft belief justifies period choose