What did it mean to call someone a witch in the 1600s? The fear of malevolent witchcraft was very real in early modern England, but the label was also a useful one to employ against political enemies, or reinforce the status quo.

During this talk, Dr Tabitha Stanmore will explore some of the ways that witchcraft was weaponised for political ends. Focussing mostly on the years leading up to and including the Civil Wars, we will look at how witchcraft propaganda was used to disparage certain groups, but also hold up a mirror to English society.