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Witchcraft, gender, and society in early modern Germany
- Author / Creator
- Available as
- Online
- Summary
-
Using the example of Eichstatt, this book challenges witchcraft historiography by arguing that the gender of the witch-suspect was a product of the interrogation process and that the stable communi...
Using the example of Eichstatt, this book challenges witchcraft historiography by arguing that the gender of the witch-suspect was a product of the interrogation process and that the stable communities affected by persecution did not collude in its escalation.
"Recent witchcraft historiography, particularly where it concerns the gender of the witch-suspect, has been dominated by theories of social conflict in which ordinary people colluded in the persecution of the witch sect. The reconstruction of the Eichstatt persecutions (1590-1631) in this book shows that many witchcraft episodes were imposed exclusively 'from above' as part of a programme of Catholic reform. The high proportion of female suspects in these cases resulted from the persecutors' demonology and their interrogation procedures. The confession narratives forced from the suspects reveal a socially integrated, if gendered, community rather than one in crisis. The book is a reminder that an overemphasis on one interpretation cannot adequately account for the many contexts in which witchcraft episodes occurred."--Jacket
Details
- Creator
- by Jonathan B. Durrant
- Format
- Books
- Language
- English
- Publication
-
- Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2007
- ©2007
- Physical Details
-
- 1 online resource (xxvii, 288 pages) : illustrations, maps
- data file
- ISBNs
- 9004160930, 9786611936204, 9047420551, 9789004160934, 1281936200, 9789047420552
- OCLC
- ocn302420990, on1048664549, ocn154227906
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 265-273) and index.
- In English.
- Ch. 1: Witch-hunting in Eichstatt -- chapter 2: The witches -- chapter 3: Friends and enemies -- chapter 4 : Food and drink -- chapter 5: Sex -- chapter 6: Health -- chapter 7: The abuse of authority -- Conclusion -- Appendix 1 The interrogatory of 1617 -- Appendix 2 Occupations of suspected witches or their households
- List of tables, maps and illustrations -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- PART I -- Chapter One : Witch-hunting in Eichstltt -- The background -- Witch-hunting in Eichstatt, 1590-1616 -- Witch-hunting in Eichstatt, 1617-1631 -- The pattern of witch-hunting in Eichsttt -- Chapter Two : The witches -- The authorities and the gender of the witch -- The interrogatory and the course of the witch interrogations -- Denunciations -- Denunciations -- the role of the interrogators -- Denunciations -- the role of the witch-suspect -- The social status of the witch -- Conclusion -- PART II -- Chapter Three : Friends and enemies -- Methodology -- The witch and her denouncers -- Barbara Haubner and her denouncers -- Michael Hochenschildt and his denouncers -- Margretha Geiger and her denouncers -- Walburga Knab -- Christoph Lauterer -- Conclusion -- Chapter Four : Food and drink -- Food and drink -- Feasting -- Chapter Five : Sex -- Diabolical seduction -- Same-sex sexual relations -- Fornication and adultery -- Prostitution -- Bestiality and incest -- Conclusion -- Chapter Six : Health -- Healing -- Midwives -- Conclusion -- Chapter Seven : The abuse of authority -- The investigation -- Georg Mayr's visit -- Maria Mayr's infidelity -- The warders' abuses -- Fear -- Conclusion -- Witchcraft -- Gender and society -- Appendix 1 The interrogatory of 1617 -- Appendix 2 Occupations of suspected witches or their households -- Bibliography
Subjects
- Witchcraft -- Germany -- Eichstätt (Landkreis) -- History -- 16th century.
- Witchcraft -- Germany -- Eichstätt (Landkreis) -- History -- 17th century.
- Trials (Witchcraft) -- Germany -- Eichstätt (Landkreis) -- 16th century.
- Trials (Witchcraft) -- Germany -- Eichstätt (Landkreis) -- 17th century.
- Sex role -- Religious aspects.
- Germany -- Social conditions -- 16th century.
- Germany -- Social conditions -- 17th century.
- Gender identity.
- Medicine -- History -- 17th century.
- Women.
- Catholicism -- history
Medical Subject Heading
- Gender Identity
Medical Subject Heading
- History, 16th Century
Medical Subject Heading
- History, 17th Century
Medical Subject Heading
- Social Conditions -- history
Medical Subject Heading
- Witchcraft -- history
Medical Subject Heading
- Women
Medical Subject Heading
- Germany
Medical Subject Heading