As part of the religious tensions in Europe, a new science of “demonology” was established. Once harmless activities—women taking part in fortune-telling, selling charms and administering medicinal herbs—became associated with Satan. Witches became the focus of tensions and insecurities—they were a threat to the community, the family and the Church.
Each witch trial had its own dynamics—family jealousies, disputes over food and land, religious tensions and accusations of immorality.
Natural disasters were blamed on vulnerable and marginalised women. People hoped that driving out the devil might protect against storms and famines.
Women were subjected to horrific torture until they confessed to fornicating with the devil, consorting with “familiars”—often domestic animals—and summoning evil spirits. Examples of witch trials show how class, power and gender interacted to drive women to the stake.
King James I was an energetic witch hunter. He introduced a harsh new law against witchcraft in 1604. Previous laws only targeted “witches” accused of “maleficium”—causing real harm.
From https://socialistworker.co.uk/in-depth/they-cant-burn-us-all-marxism-and-witchcraft/
NB I am NOT a Marxist but thought it interesting that a left analysis about the state targetting of women, doesn't conclude that the issue is about the status of women, but women as the collatoral damage in the struggle between two male systems, feudalism and capitalism.