Witch craft and Misogyny

[Hoppinggreen]

DD is doing an A level project on Witch craft and the witch trials of the 1600s
she wants to focus on misogyny as a key driver behind what happened and I was wondering if anyone could point her in the direction of some resources?
she has downloaded Andrea Dworkins book on Hate, any other ideas?
Thank you

Richard Suggett and Lisa Tallis have written about witchcraft in early Modern Wales - Richard Suggett has written on witchcraft and gender, based on transcripts of trials in Wales…

‘The Witch in History’ by Diane Purkiss is also a good read.

You really need a cultural whistle stop catch up to get to the 1600s in Europe especially Britain. Celtic Christianity (i.e. the homegrown version 100-400 AD) was way more egalitarian and inclusive than the Roman Catholic version that was subsequently imposed and standardised upon. It was more a synthesis of Wiccan-ny culture and evangelical Christianity. Made sense in it's time and place.

This is one reason why 100-400 AD really needs to be re-examined (much like "the dark ages") as nearly all interpretations since start from a "let's airbrush women from this story". Invariably cheerled by women themselves. But that's for another thread.

Anyway, I'm off to watch the world burn. Good luck to your DD. Sorry we fucked it all up for her.

@Tamzo85

Hello, I'm currently also studying witchcraze around the 17th century and was directly looking at whether or not it was a war against women. I will come to an argument myself but I was wondering if you had any sources for your arguments and statements that it was absolutely not based on misogyny, especially any statistics or legal proceedings or documents you've studies.

Thanks!

@Jacob123456 - are you aware this thread is over 2 years old? Maybe Tamzo is around but maybe not.

If your area has a local history group it may be worth speaking to them. Our group had done a lot of work on witchcraft trials in the area. One of the interesting things that came out was a strong driver was the local minister who prosecuted as witches people who didn't go to church or pay their tithes or fell out of favour.

Also a scientist.
It does seem that part of the reformation was sexist in the name of rationality, as in en seeing women as irrational and sidelining them because of this. Not something I know about but it woudl be interesting (to me at least).

@sawdustformypony Ooop! Sorry!

For DD's A level History she chose to write an essay on The Witch trials and decided to do it from a Feminist perspective, citing Misogyny as a major factor
She used approved sources, gave evidence, discussed other possible causes etc and it was a really good essay (she was straight A/A*) but it was marked down for being "too Niche".
I was bloody livid but she asked me not to interfere. She says she doesn't regret it though

https://www.channel4.com/programmes/suranne-jones-investigating-witch-trials/on-demand/74554-002