The European Witch-Craze of the 16th and 17th Centuries (Pelican Books)

Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, Middlesex, 1969. First Edition. Softcover. Good Condition. Foreword to the Pelican edition, notes and index. Illustrated paperback binding with blue coloured titles to the front panel and black and white coloured titles to the back strip. During the Renaissance and Reformation period of European history where mediaeval superstition was supposedly retreating, the witch-craze of the same period took hold and the belief that an imminent attack from the Powers of darkness was rife. Quoting from the rear panel blurb " ... And more they were tortured and burnt (witches), the more their power spread – until, by the 30 Years War, Europe was in the grip of a collective psychosis foreshadowing that of Nazi Germany. In this short but masterly study Professor Trevor-Roper questions why, in this important respect, "Early Modern" Europe had regressed since the Dark Ages. He sees the craze as a form of social intolerance, with the witch, like the Jew, cast first as the non-conforming's gate go of the feudal society and later as the victim of conflicting ideologies." Rubbing of the book edges and panels with light sunning of the back strip and front panel. Tanning and staining of the text block edges and tanning of the pages. Foxing to the verso of the covers and to the first few and last few pages of the book. First Penguin Publication. Size: 12 mo (standard paperback). [6], 7 - 144 pages,. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: History; Religion; Europe; Sociology & Culture. Inventory No: 0290486. .