Witchcraft in Old and New England

INCLUDING A VERY LARGE COMPENDIUM OF HISTORY DATING BACK OVER 1200 YEARS COMPRISED OF 641 PAGES IN ALL
HERE ARE "SOME" OF THE SUBJECTS DISCUSSED: WITCHCRAFT, SORCERY, SPELLS, MAGIC, ALCHEMY, NECROMANCY, NORSE MYTHOLOGY, THE NORSE MYTHOLOGY, ODIN, THE DRUIDS, GYPSIES, INCANTATIONS, HERBS AND SPELLS, AMULETS, KING ARTHUR, THE GOTHIC WOMEN, THE INCUBUS, AUTOMATIC WRITING, INVOCATION OF SPIRITS, GOOD AND EVIL, THE NINE WORTS CHARM, THE BELL WITCH, BOOKS OF MAGIC, PROPHECY, SOOTHSAYERS, SUPERSTITIONS, DAMNED SPIRITS, POSSESSION, APPARITIONS, DIVINATION, MYTHOLOGY, GODS AND GODDESSES, ANCIENT EGYPT, ELIZABETHAN WITCHCRAFT, THE EVIL EYE, EXORCISM, FLYING WITCHES, GOBLINS, RUNIC SYMBOLS, PAGANISM, INVINCIBILITY, NORSE LORE, PIXIES, ELEMENTAL SPIRITS, FAIRIES, GOBLINS, GOOD AND EVIL SPIRITS, SUPERPHYSICAL BEINGS, AND MORE

"Besides these charms afore, I have featured many more That I keep still in store."

In 1535 Friar John Colsell was to be arrested for practicing
"the deceitful arte of magic and astronomy, and a priest (not named) was found by officers of Abbot Thomas of Abingdon to have in his possession a conjuring book. He was likewise apprehended."

For anyone who is looking for a very extensive book on witchcraft and the occult sciences, this is a gem of a find. It discusses everything from Divination and Magic to Spells and many facets of the Esoteric. Although printed and bound 65 years ago, it has been very well-preserved. They don't make them this good anymore, and I don't think they ever will. I would snag this one before someone else does.

In "Witchcraft in Old and New England," Kittredge explores the history and cultural context of witchcraft beliefs and trials in both colonial New England and early modern Europe. The book is divided into two main parts, with the first part focusing on witchcraft in England and the second part focusing on witchcraft in New England.

In the first part, Kittredge examines the social, religious, and legal factors that contributed to the witch trials in England. He discusses the impact of the Protestant Reformation, the influence of demonology literature, and the role of witchcraft beliefs in shaping early modern society. Kittredge also analyzes several famous witch trials in England, such as the Pendle witch trials and the trial of the Lancashire witches.

The second part of the book shifts the focus to New England, particularly the Salem witch trials of 1692. Kittredge examines the events leading up to the Salem witch trials, the social tensions within the community, and the legal procedures involved in the trials. He explores the various theories and explanations for the hysteria that swept through Salem Village and resulted in the execution of 20 people.

Kittredge's work stands out for its comprehensive analysis of both the European and American contexts of witchcraft trials. He emphasizes the social and cultural factors that contributed to the witchcraft beliefs and persecutions, challenging simplistic explanations based solely on religious fanaticism or superstition. Kittredge's scholarship helps to contextualize the witchcraft trials within the broader historical, religious, and cultural developments of the time.

"Witchcraft in Old and New England" remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of witchcraft and the Salem witch trials. It provides a nuanced and well-researched examination of the subject, shedding light on the complexities and dynamics of witchcraft beliefs and their impact on society.

"MY SALEM friends will expect me to remind the reader that the great outbreak of 1692 occurred in Salem
The village, now Danvers, though the trials were held at Salem."

"These "believe and declare that they ride upon beasts with Diana, goddess of the pagans, and a countless multitude of women, passing through many regions in the dead of night, and that on appointed nights they are called out to her service. A vast number, misled by this false opinion, accept these things as true, and thus deviate from the faith, since they think that something of divine nature and power exists apart from the one true God." Priests should preach that such notions are mere demonic fancies put into the mind by the evil spirit."

"A CHARME."
Three Biters hast thou bitten,
The Hart, ill Eye, ill Tonge:
Three bitter shall be thy Boote, Father,
Sonne, and Holy Ghost a Gods name."


"The prevalence of every form of witchcraft and sorcery in England before the Norman Conquest might be inferred from the richness of the native vocabulary, even if we had no other proofs: for witch, wizard, enchanter, seer, diviner, and so on, there are more than thirty Anglo-Saxon terms.13 But there are other proofs in abundance."