Witchcraft Persecutions in Bavaria : Popular Magic, Religious Zealotry and Reason of State in Early Modern Europe (Past and Present Publications)

Rating:
Summary: Witch-trials in early modern Germany
Review: This book is an English translation of Behringer's most important study "Hexenverfolgung in Bayern. Volksmagie, Glaubenseifer und Staatsräson in der Frühen Neuzeit", published in Germany 1987 (3. verbesserter Auflage 1997). In this southern part of Germany 900 witches were executed, and many more tried for witchcraft, between 1560 and 1730. Behringer finds that most trials occurred during years of particular dearth and famine. One of his conclusions is that every major persecution in this part of Germany was rooted in agrarian crisis. His book should be read by anybody who only knows about witch-trials from English-speaking countries. There are almost 500 fascinating pages in his book.

Rating:
Summary: Witch-trials in early modern Germany
Review: This book is an English translation of Behringer's most important study "Hexenverfolgung in Bayern. Volksmagie, Glaubenseifer und Staatsräson in der Frühen Neuzeit", published in Germany 1987 (3. verbesserter Auflage 1997). In this southern part of Germany 900 witches were executed, and many more tried for witchcraft, between 1560 and 1730. Behringer finds that most trials occurred during years of particular dearth and famine. One of his conclusions is that every major persecution in this part of Germany was rooted in agrarian crisis. His book should be read by anybody who only knows about witch-trials from English-speaking countries. There are almost 500 fascinating pages in his book.