The sixteenth century was marked by a great number of witch trials in rural areas and border regions of Western Europe. This situation could be observed in England, Scotland, Germany, France, and other countries.
To a great extent, this phenomenon can be attributed to the following factors:
- official recognition of witchcraft and the activities of religious zealots who inspired the persecution of many people;
- the stereotypes and superstitions about women and their relations with supernatural powers;
- poverty, wars, and religious turmoil. These are the main issues that should be taken into account.
At first, one should mention that the religious authorities recognized the existence of witches. For instance, it is possible to refer to the bull of Innocent VIII in which he grants local authorities the right to “do all things necessary” in order to struggle with witches (Innocent VIII unpaged).
Furthermore, much attention should be paid to the notorious treatise Malleus Maleficarum which is also known as The Hammer of Witches. Heinrich Kramer and James Sprenger, who were the authors of this text, popularized the idea that many people could be the servant of “devils” (Kramer and Sprenger 41). To some degree, this book contributed to the growing hysteria about witches, especially in Germany.
Finally, it is critical to mention that the stereotypes according to which women were more likely to be to be seduced by the devil (Verlet). They contributed to the victimization of many women, especially spinsters and widows since they were most powerless (Verlet). These are some of the forces that increased the fear of witches.
Moreover, it is critical to remember that witchcraft accusations were more widespread in the areas that could be profoundly affected by wars and poverty (Lualdi 320). To some extent, they intensified people’s hostility to one another. Among such regions, one can distinguish rural areas of Scotland and Germany.
Under such circumstances, people were more likely to use witchcraft accusations as a means of acquiring wealth. In turn, the most unprotected victims could be widows and spinsters. Thus, one should focus on the socio-economic aspects of this phenomenon.
Additionally, witch trials were more widespread in the countries where the influence of the Catholic Church was weakest. Again, one can speak about Germany or Switzerland. These states were mostly profoundly affected by the Protestant Reformation. Moreover, the role of Catholicism in Scotland or England was reduced because the government did not want the church to interfere into its policies (Hunt et al. 464).
The main problem is that the declining power of the Roman Catholicism gave rise to people who could be viewed as religious fanatics. Moreover, even religious leaders of the Protestant Reformation such as Calvin and Luther approved of witch trials (Ankerloo 11; Brady 626). In turn, the activities of religious zealots were least controlled in rural areas of these countries. This is another aspect that can be distinguished.
Thus, one can say that the witchcraft hysteria can be attributed to a combination of different factors. Much attention should be paid to the role of zealots who raised panic about witchcraft and insisted on persecution of many innocent people. Additionally, poverty and war contributed the increased number of witchcraft accusations especially in rural or borderline regions. These are the main factors that made witch hunt possible in Western Europe.
Works Cited
Ankerloo, Bengt. Witchcraft and Magic in Europe: The Period of the Witch Trials, New York: Continuum, 2002. Print.
Brady, Thomas. Handbook of European History 1400 – 1600: Late Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, London: BRILL, 1994. Print.
Hunt, Lynn, Thomas Martin, Barbara Rosenwein, and Bonnie Smith. Making of the West, Volume II: Since 1500: Peoples and Cultures, London: Bedford, 2012. Print.
Innocent VIII. Bull Summis Desiderantes. 1484. Web.
Kramer, Heinrich and James Sprenger. The Malleus Maleficarum, New York, Book Tree, 2000. Print.
Lualdi, Katharine. Sources of The Making of the West, Volume II: Since 1500: Peoples and Cultures, London: Bedford, 2012. Print.
Verlet, Melissa. The Witch Hysteria. 2013. Web.