Witch Stories

Name: Witch Stories
Author: E. Lynn Linton

By E. Lynn Linton

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History - British History - Early Modern (c. 1450-1750)Mythology, Legends & Folklore Short Stories

About This Book

The volume gathers retellings of alleged witchcraft cases, folklore, and trial narratives that illustrate popular beliefs such as the evil eye, second sight, pacts with the devil, and the supposed power to harm people and livestock. The editor frames the material with commentary on sources and limits, and emphasizes tensions among superstition, deliberate fraud, nervous disorder, and legal credulity. Recurrent episodes show how accusations could transform ordinary healers or quarrelsome neighbors into condemned outcasts, and how community testimony—including from friends and family—fed convictions. Together the pieces map regional folk beliefs and the social dynamics that produced witch trials.

About the Author

E. Lynn Linton

E. Lynn Linton was a notable English author and social commentator of the 19th century, recognized for her insightful essays and critiques on contemporary society. Her works often explored themes of gender and social norms, as exemplified in her influential series, "Modern Women and What is Said of Them," which reflects on the changing roles of women during her time. Linton's essays, such as those found in "The Girl of the Period," delve into the complexities of female identity and societal expectations. Additionally, her collection "Witch Stories" showcases her interest in folklore and the supernatural, further enriching her literary contributions.