This is a classic regional and comparative study of early modern witchcraft. The history of witchcraft continues to attract attention with its emotive and contentious debates. The methodology and conclusions of this book have impacted not only on witchcraft studies but the entire approach to social and cultural history with its quantitative and anthropological approach. The book provides an important case study on Essex as well as drawing comparisons with other regions of early modern England. The second edition of this classic work adds a new historiographical introduction, placing the book in context today.

Alan MacFarlane

Acknowledgements, Introduction by James Sharpe, Preface by E.E.Evans-Pritchard, Abbreviations and conventions, SOURCES AND STATISTICS, COUNTERING WITCHCRAFT, WITCHCRAFT AND THE SOCIAL BACKGROUND, A COMPARATIVE FRAMEWORK: ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDIES, APPENDICES