Studies in Early Modern European History Witchcraft Narratives Germany

Witchcraft narratives in Germany explains why witch-trials failed to gain momentum and escalate into 'witch-crazes' in certain parts of early modern Europe. Witchcraft narratives in Germany explains why witch-trials failed to gain momentum and escalate into 'witch-crazes' in certain parts of early modern Europe.Centred on the German city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and its rural hinterland, the study draws on the city’s rich records to uncover the social and psychological tensions underlying witchcraft accusations and confessions. Remarkably, Rothenburg ob der Tauber saw just one execution for witchcraft between 1561 and 1652. This local pattern provides a vital counterpoint to prevailing historical narratives of widespread persecution, highlighting the ‘relative failure’ of witch-hunts in parts of Germany and questioning the assumption that mass trials were the early modern norm.Through careful analysis of legal records containing extensive first-person testimonies, the book provides an insight into the social, cultural and imaginative worlds of early modern peasants and townspeople. These findings are used to reassess existing interpretations of gender in witch-trials, offering an alternative explanation for the predominance of accusations against women.In focusing on Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Witchcraft narratives in Germany offers nuanced and detailed insights into everyday life, beliefs, and conflict in early modern Germany, contributing to ongoing debates about witchcraft, gender, and social history. Witchcraft narratives in Germany explains why witch-trials failed to gain momentum and escalate into 'witch-crazes' in certain parts of early modern Europe.Centred on the German city of Rothenburg ob der Tauber and its rural hinterland, the study draws on the city’s rich records to uncover the social and psychological tensions underlying witchcraft accusations and confessions. Remarkably, Rothenburg ob der Tauber saw just one execution for witchcraft between 1561 and 1652. This local pattern provides a vital counterpoint to prevailing historical narratives of widespread persecution, highlighting the ‘relative failure’ of witch-hunts in parts of Germany and questioning the assumption that mass trials were the early modern norm.