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Premodern Beliefs and Witch Trials in a Swedish Province, 1669-1672

  • Book
  • © 2021

Overview

Authors:
  1. Göran Malmstedt

    1. University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

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  • Examines the worldview and perceptions of reality that formed the setting for the witch trials in the Swedish province of Bohuslän
  • Provides a unique insight into premodern worldviews
  • Analyses the testimony of the defendants and the various accusations from neighbours and the court

Part of the book series: Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic (PHSWM)

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
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  2. Introduction

    • Göran Malmstedt
    Pages 1-24

  3. Concluding Discussion: An Enchanted World

    • Göran Malmstedt
    Pages 187-208

  4. The Bohuslän Witch Trials

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 25-25
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    2. The Conduct of the Trials

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 27-43

    3. Accused and Accusations

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 45-56

    4. Lost at Sea

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 57-75

  5. Dimensions of Reality

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 77-77
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    2. Dreams and Reality

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 79-96

    3. Shape-Shifting

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 97-109

  6. Magical Domains

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 111-111
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    2. Powerful Emotions

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 113-131

    3. Spells and Charms

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 133-153

    4. Charged Matter

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 155-165

  7. Supernatural Powers

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 167-167
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    2. God’s Children

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 169-178

    3. In the Clutches of Satan

      • Göran Malmstedt
      Pages 179-185

  8. Back Matter

    Pages 209-229
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Keywords

About this book

This book examines the worldview and perceptions of reality that formed the setting for the witch trials held in the Swedish province of Bohuslän in 1669-1672. The first part of the book explores the conduct of the trials and provides, among other things, an analysis of the defendants and of the various accusations from neighbours and the court. The following parts analyse the perceptions of reality found in the statements made in court by witnesses and the accused. The topics addressed include the relationship between dreams and reality, belief in shape-shifting, the power of words, emotions, and magically charged matters, as well as perceptions of God and the Devil. The beliefs that surfaced during the trials were part of a general mentality that characterised people’s perception of the world, both before and after the trials. As the records from the prolonged cross-examinations of the accused are unusually detailed, the defendant’s statements, together with accusations, testimonies,and the courts’ questions, provides a unique insight into premodern worldviews.

Authors and Affiliations

  • University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden

    Göran Malmstedt

About the author

Göran Malmstedt is Professor of History at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Premodern Beliefs and Witch Trials in a Swedish Province, 1669-1672

  • Authors: Göran Malmstedt

  • Series Title: Palgrave Historical Studies in Witchcraft and Magic

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-76120-2

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: History, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-76119-6Published: 16 July 2021

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-76122-6Published: 17 July 2022

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-76120-2Published: 15 July 2021

  • Series ISSN: 2731-5630

  • Series E-ISSN: 2731-5649

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 229

  • Number of Illustrations: 2 b/w illustrations

  • Topics: History of Early Modern Europe, Cultural History, Social History

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