Demonology
Short course: Witchcraft, Werewolves and Magic in European History
Event Type: HA
Takes Place: 8th October 2024
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Online
Description: At its heart, throughout much of early modern Europe, witchcraft was a form of heresy and idolatry, the worship of someone or something other than God. While early modern witches were imagined to use their powers to harm their neighbours, it was their supposed rejection of God and worship of the devil that offended theologians. From the fifteenth century onwards, theologians transformed witchcraft from a popular superstition into a grave crime deserving of death. The new science of demonology was an interdisciplinary one: theologians debated the devil’s powers and philosophers how they took form, physicians scrutinized diabolical illnesses and lawyers asked how the crime of witchcraft could ever be proven. This new demonology informed large-scale witch persecution across much of Europe. What the demonologies said and how they came to influence witch persecution will be the subject of this session.
How to book: This event is part of our short course: Witchcraft, Werewolves and Magic in European History. Register for the short course via the link below.
Price: The course is free for members, £37 for non-members.
Lecturer: Jan Machielsen, Lisa Tallis