Heresy, Magic and Witchcraft in Early Modern Europe

'This book is timely in offering a clear view of how heresy and witchcraft connected, how they were reflected in contemporary religious debates, and how a number of differing positions about witchcraft in particular could be held. It is an excellent book which demonstrates original thinking and wide scholarship, and will be an important addition to works on witchcraft, and particularly to works which students are being encouraged to read.' - Jim Sharpe, University of York 'Not just another account of witch 'persecution', but specific and incisive.' - Dr Marion Gibson, University of Exeter 'This is a well-organized, erudite and admirably lucid account of the 'witch-craze', especially valuable for the way it bridges the medieval and early modern eras.' - Dr Malcolm Gaskill, University of Cambridge

Waite reveals how the early-modern period's religious conflicts led to widespread confusion and uncertainty, against which alleged disbolical conspiracies served to reaffirm orthodoxy. Waite argues that it was only when the authorities came to terms with religious pluralism that there was a corresponding decline in witch panics.Bringing together the fields of Reformation and witchcraft studies, Gary K. Waite reveals how the early-modern period's religious conflicts led to widespread confusion and uncertainty, against which alleged disbolical conspiracies served to reaffirm orthodoxy. As with the vicious persecution of Anabaptists, witch hunting was a means of restoring belief in the veracity of official teachings about the supernatural realm. Waite argues that it was only when the authorities came to terms with religious pluralism that there was a corresponding decline in witch panics.