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Synopsis

Witchcraft, astrology, divination and every kind of popular magic flourished in England during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, from the belief that a blessed amulet of wax could prevent the assaults of the Devil to the use of charms to recover stolen goods. At the same time the Protestant Reformation attempted to take the magic out of religion, and scientists were developing new explanations of the universe. Keith Thomas’s classic analysis of beliefs held on every level of English society begins with the collapse of the medieval church and ends with the changing intellectual atmosphere around 1700, when science and rationalism began to challenge the older systems of belief.

Reviews

Critic Review:

‘Fascinating … One of the most original and thought-provoking books on English sixteenth- and seventeenth-century history’
Christopher Hill, Times Literary Supplement

‘A major historical achievement … formidable in its scope and so brilliant in its insights … the period will never look quite the same again’ 
Economic History Review

‘Outstanding … a commanding work’ 
History Today

‘Brilliant, thoughtful and fascinating … echoes with the survival of beliefs in magic’ 
Los Angeles Times

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