Witchcraft In Early Modern Scotland: James VI's Demonology and the North Berwick Witches (University of Exeter Press - Exeter Studies in History) [Paperback]

Lawrence Normand (Author), Gareth Roberts (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 085989388X | ISBN-13: 978-0859893886 | Publication Date: January 1, 2000 | Edition: 1

King James' treatise was written at a period of dramatic change in Scottish witchcraft and after a period of intense prosecution in Scotland. It was republished in England in the year of James' accession to the English throne. This book offers a modernized, glossed and fully annotated edition of the "Daemonologie", the pamphlet "Newes from Scotland" and of manuscript material related to the trials of the North Berwick witches not available previously on print or only in early 19th-century editions. A substantial introduction reviews the importance of the trials in the last decade of the 16th century in Scotland, places them in the context of Renaissance thought and culture, and locates the King's treatise in the context of the contemporary demonological discussion to which the "Daemonologie" provided a useful introduction. Full annotations are provided.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Witchcraft in Early Modern Scotland will be immensely useful for scholars of witchcraft, demonology, early modern women, as well as those who study Scottish political, religious, legal, and social history. The contextual information in Part One is clearly presented and accessible for scholars with only a cursory knowledge of early modern Scotland; and detailed annotations of the documents make them readily comprehensible for readers unfamiliar with Scots dialect. The book is a case-study that becomes cultural history . . . Such rich and carefully read evidence of intimate interactions between members of elite and popular cultures makes an important contribution to our understanding of sixteenth-century social history.” –Albion, Vol.34, Issue 2, Summer 2002

(Albion )

About the Author

Until his death in 1999, Gareth Roberts was senior lecturer in the School of English, University of Exeter, where he was Course Director of the MA in The History and Literature of Witchcraft. Lawrence Normand is principal lecturer in English at Middlesex University. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: University of Exeter Press; 1 edition (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 085989388X
• ISBN-13: 978-0859893886
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,904,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars "She confesses that the Devil appears like a foal or stag, ...", July 27, 2010

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Jeremy Williamson (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Witchcraft In Early Modern Scotland: James VI's Demonology and the North Berwick Witches (University of Exeter Press - Exeter Studies in History) (Paperback)

Not much I can say that the product description doesn't. I just wanted to add my 5 stars to this excellent and superior effort. Be warned, this does not read as a popular history, but is rather a thoroughly academic investigation of the source materials in regard to the North Berwick Witch Trials whereby King James VI defended the royal houses of Denmark and Scotland from attack by conspiring witches. Fascinating stuff, but not recommended for those without prior foundation in the history of Scottish witchcraft persecutions. To that end, Enemies of God: The Witch-Hunt in Scotland is an equally excellent introduction. Enjoy!

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Had to write a paper for school, January 7, 2008

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Mrs. Alice S. Franceschini (Petaluma, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Witchcraft In Early Modern Scotland: James VI's Demonology and the North Berwick Witches (University of Exeter Press - Exeter Studies in History) (Paperback)

This book was bought so I could write a term paper for school.
it's well written, good to read and has a lot of history in it. If you are a history buff this book would be a good one for your collection.