The History of Witchcraft and Women: Magic, rituals and the patriarchy

Uncover the fascinating history of witchcraft and how patriarchal ideas shaped the image of a witch. Followed by Q&A.

The image of the witch is often portrayed as a female figure, closely tied to the perception of witchcraft as a female crime. Throughout centuries of European witchcraft history, women were the main targets of accusations, trials, and executions, reinforcing the connections between witchcraft and societal expectations of women.

When examined through a feminist lens, the history of witchcraft reveals how patriarchal structures have weaponised the fear of witchcraft to control and oppress women. Many feminist scholars argue that the persecution of witches served as a means to enforce gender roles, limit female autonomy, and maintain male dominance. But was this truly the case?

This talk will look at the real-life stories of individuals tried by the Roman Inquisition during the early modern period, exploring the lives, beliefs, and magical practices of both women and men accused of witchcraft by their communities. We will ultimately challenge the idea that witchcraft was solely a female crime.

Doors open at 7pm, talk starts at 7:30pm - come down early to grab a good seat!

Speaker Bio

Dr Debora Moretti is a social historian and archaeologist specialising in the history of magic and witchcraft from the medieval to early modern periods and beyond. She is a Researcher at the University of Hertfordshire on the Alternative Healers project.

Presented by Seed Talks.

This is an 18+ event.