Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft

Rediscovering Renaissance Witchcraft traces witchcraft from the 16th century through to today, exploring material across 'Witchcraft studies', covering literature, politics and journalism to investigate the fascination with witchcraft through history. This book is essential reading for students of witchcraft, early modern history and literature.

Marion Gibson is Professor of Renaissance and Magical Literatures at Exeter University and works on witches, magic, paganism and the supernatural in literature. Her previous publications include: Imagining the Pagan Past (2013), Mysticism, Myth and Celtic Identity co-edited with Shelley Trower and Garry Tregidga (2012), Witchcraft Myths in American Culture (2007), Possession, Puritanism and Print: Darrell, Harsnett, Shakespeare and the Elizabethan Exorcism Controversy (2006) and Reading Witchcraft: Stories of Early English Witches (1999).

Introduction; Chapter One: Renaissance Witchcraft; Chapter Two: Witchcraft in Renaissance Literature; Chapter Three: Renaissance Witchcraft Rediscovered in Scotland; Chapter Four: Witchcraft in Wartime; Chapter Five: Strange Conflict: Witch-hunters and Witches in Britain, c.1930-1980; Chapter Six: American Influences; Chapter Seven: Magical Realism, Magical Romance: Witchcraft Genres Since the 1960s; Conclusion; Select Bibliography; Index