Horrible Histories: Witch Finders
Before the 9th century (800's) CE, there was a widespread popular belief that evil Witches existed. They were seen as evil persons, primarily women, who devoted their lives to harming and killing others through black magic and evil sorcery.
The first major witch hunts began in many western European countries around 1450.
The Roman Catholic Church created an imaginary evil religion in which followers worshiped Diana and other Gods and Goddesses, were evil Witches who kidnapped babies, killed and ate their victims, sold their soul to Satan, were in league with demons, flew through the air, met in the middle of the night, caused male impotence and infertility, caused male genitals to disappear, and other such horrible things.
Historians have speculated that this religiously inspired genocide was motivated by a desire by the Church to attain a complete religious monopoly, or was "a tool of repression, a form of reining-in deviant behavior, a backlash against women, or a tool of the common people to name scapegoats for spoiled crops, dead livestock or the death of babies and children."
Other historians think the Church felt it had to invent Witches and demons in order to explain the existence of evil in the world.
The years 1550 to 1650 CE are often referred to as "the burning times", since
trials and executions reached a peak during this 100 year span.
These events were mostly concentrated in eastern France, Germany and Switzerland. Witch persecutions often occurred in areas where Catholics and Protestants were fighting (remember the Protestant Reformation? Reformers like Martin Luther began questioning and criticizing the Catholic Church for practices such as selling indulgences...).
Suspected witches were mainly tried by secular (non-religious) courts. A minority were charged by church authorities; these were often cases involving the use of healing magic or midwifery.
A Brief History of Witch Hunts before the Salem Witch Trials
Witch Hunts in European History and Today
Matthew Hopkins: Witch-finder General
Watch excerpts from the NFB film, The Burning Times:
Part I
Part II
Witchcraft in Post -Medieval Europe
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